From the earliest days of my Catholic education, the good School Sisters of Notre Dame taught my young schoolmates and me to bow our heads when we said the name “Jesus.”
Griffin
A Vincentian View: A Thankful Man
In this year dedicated to St. Joseph, I have written several times on the way in which the Psalms can express the thinking and praying of the Holy Family.
A Vincentian View: The Guardian
I like the term “guardian.” It has an association with St. Joseph. Frequently he receives the title “Guardian of the Lord” and “Guardian of the Holy Family.”
A Vincentian View: Listening
A Vincentian View: Fr. Patrick J. Griffin, CM “Listening” Do you set aside books which you say that you are going to read when you get the chance? I try to do that during the summer. There are, of course, junk novels which I select for guilty pleasure, but there are...
A Vincentian View: The Cross and the Crucifix
A Vincentian View Fr. Patrick J. Griffin, CM “The Cross and the Crucifix” How close are you to a cross at this very moment? Could you reach into your pocket and find the cross on the end of your rosary? Is one attached to your collar or around your neck? Is there...
A Vincentian View: More
A Vincentian View Fr. Patrick J. Griffin, CM “More” At the center of the Queens’ campus of St. John’s University stands the eleven year old Church of St. Thomas More. The majority of the funding for the Church came from an alumnus of the Law School, and he also...
I Feel Your Pain
A Vincentian View Fr. Patrick J. Griffin, CM “I Feel Your Pain” I had the honor of speaking to the Trenton Diocesan Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul on June 4. The topic offered to me made me think about the little park which rests within the confines of...
Mary in our Midst
In college, I had one course in Art Appreciation. Since my own background for understanding art left much to be desired, this course proved valuable. One remark remains with me: Once an artist finishes a work, he has lost control over it; now it belongs to the...
Remembering Fr. McCullen
For some months, the Daughters of Charity in the NY area had been in touch with me on the issue of preparing a memorial service for Fr. Richard McCullen, CM. Sr. Julie Cutter, DC, and Sr. Catherine Prendergast, DC, and I became the members of a planning group which...
The Gift of the Spirit
A Vincentian View: “The Gift of the Spirit” The readings in the Scripture for these days have directed our attention more than once to the gift of the Holy Spirit which Jesus promises the Christian community. On this past Sunday, we heard: “The Advocate, the holy...
Three Things which you didn’t know about Easter
Vincentian View: “Three Things which you didn’t know about Easter” We are halfway through the Easter season, and it is a good time for a short test. 1. Did you know that Easter is the pivotal celebration of the Christian calendar? Though Christmas might seem to hold...
The Journey
“The Journey” On this past Sunday, April 3, eighteen of our St. John’s University students completed the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program. I confess to be touched and honored to have been there for this last step. I had been there for the...
