by John Freund, CM | Jul 12, 2017 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
In his lifetime Frédéric Ozanam neither heard nor uttered the phrases “systemic change” or “systemic thinking.” Yet an incident in his life illustrates a compelling argument that he was committed to helping people move from poverty to a sustainable life, a key element in changing systems that entrap people in poverty.
by Javier F. Chento | Jul 10, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A favorite thesis by the socialists is to denounce almsgiving as one of the detestable abuses of Christian society, for, they say, alms insults the poor, because it humiliates them, because it does not allow them to break their black bread without having to admit that...
by Javier F. Chento | Jul 3, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
We are, all of us, like the weavers of the Gobelins, who, following out the pattern of an unknown artist, endeavor to match the threads of divers colors on the wrong side of the woof, and do not see the result of their labor. It is only when the texture is complete...
by Javier F. Chento | Jun 26, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
What a moment was that, when I heard the last cry of my beloved wife and the first cry of my daughter, when I saw that creature, small but immortal, that God put in my hands, that made me feel great tenderness and also so many obligations! With what impatience I...
by Monica | Jun 23, 2017 | Formation
One of the unique aspects of the Vincentian charism is the important participation of lay people in carrying out the work of getting to know and serving those who are poor and marginalized by society, face to face, out in the world where they live. This was built in...