“We need only ask Saint Joseph for the grace of graces: our conversion” (PC p. 9).

by Pat Griffin, CM | February 1, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Has anyone ever accused you of being “out of your mind?”
by Pat Griffin, CM | January 18, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
Our liturgical year has again arrived at its longest season. After the preparation of Advent draws us into the joyful celebration of Christmas, we move to “ordinary time” until Lent leads us into the Easter Season and Pentecost.
by Pat Griffin, CM | January 4, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
The flow of our celebrations in these weeks invite us to a place in the middle. Two feasts attract our attention and border out reflections.
by Pat Griffin, CM | December 21, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
Are you surprised when John sends some of his disciples to Jesus to ask him who he is?
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 17, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
“We need only ask Saint Joseph for the grace of graces: our conversion” (PC p. 9).
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 3, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
“In every situation, Joseph declared his own “fiat,” like those of Mary at the Annunciation and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.”
by Pat Griffin, CM | Feb 17, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
Joseph, Vincent and Louise, Francis, and many others invite us to think about what is possible as we open our eyes to God’s grace for a different and better world.
by Pat Griffin, CM | Apr 5, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: The Way of the Cross Are you in the practice of praying the Stations of the Cross? I have known a number of people for whom this is a regular devotion. In different parishes and situations, I have heard the Stations said in numerous ways. Some...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 22, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Windows on St. Joseph On many occasions, I have mused on the beautiful stained glass windows in our St. Thomas More Church on the Queens’ campus of St. John’s University. Sometimes, I will go to the Church to pray, and my attention gets drawn to a...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 8, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Marked Men and Women For the past few years, since I have been back at St. John’s, I have celebrated the 8:00 mass on Wednesdays. It is one of my ordinary responsibilities. Usually, I am joined by 25-30 regular members of the University...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Feb 22, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: “Hope in Ashes” When I play poker, I do so solely for enjoyment. You can tell that by some of the games which I will play. One may be familiar to you: “Blind Man’s Bluff.” In this poker game, each player receives one card face down. Then...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jan 25, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: “A Vincentian Pentecost” Like many of you, I have been thinking about the 400th anniversary year for a while. Partly, that is because of my desire to celebrate it worthily as an individual and within my ministry, but more so because I want to...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jan 11, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: “An Examined Life” Socrates wrote: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” The sentiment gives color and force to the desire for making a retreat, a nightly examen, a preparation for the sacrament of reconciliation, a heartfelt psalm of thanks. ...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Dec 28, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View A Christmas Homily: “Celebrating the Small” Each year before Christmastime in Advent, one of my brothers sends me four tickets to “The Messiah” at Lincoln Center. This gives me an opportunity to see this seasonal show with some of my confreres and...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Dec 14, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: The Vincentian Heart The Theology Department at St. John’s University has offered me the opportunity to teach the course on Vincent de Paul next semester. I really have enough to do, but the thought of teaching this course during the 400th...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Nov 30, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Your Children’s Children May the LORD bless you from Zion; may you see Jerusalem’s prosperity all the days of your life and live to see your children’s children (Ps 128:5-6) Last year at this time after Thanksgiving, I wrote about my grandnephew...