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.

by Pat Griffin, CM | November 22, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
When we think about the celebration of Thanksgiving, one scriptural passage readily emerges from our Gospel readings.
by Pat Griffin, CM | November 8, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Each of the days that introduce the month of November—All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day—brings a different word to my mind.
by Pat Griffin, CM | October 25, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Have you been praying for peace in these days? I hope so. I certainly have. As I do so, I find myself reflecting on the meaning of the word “peace” and what it means for the Christian.
by Pat Griffin, CM | October 11, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
It requires little effort to multiply the reminders that this is God’s world and given to us as a gift and a responsibility.
by Pat Griffin, CM | Nov 24, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
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.
by Pat Griffin, CM | Nov 10, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
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.”
by Pat Griffin, CM | Oct 27, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
In this year when Pope Francis has invited us to pay special assistance to the patriarch of the Holy Family, we have probably already heard the expression “Go to Joseph.”
by Pat Griffin, CM | Sep 20, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: 2417 400 years. For the universe, or the pyramids, or the Judeo-Christian faith, it does not seem like such a long time, but for human life it really is. In this year, as we all know, we celebrate the 400th anniversary of our Vincentian charism....
by Pat Griffin, CM | Sep 6, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Creation In the past week, several events have been in the news which come together in my thinking around the theme of creation. The first is the announcement by scientists that they have discovered potentially habitable earth-like planets within a...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Aug 23, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Beauty and the Beast As a child, like most of you, I heard and read the story of “Beauty and the Beast” many times. As an adult, I saw the animated Disney Movie (with Angela Lansbury beautifully singing the title song) and a Broadway version. Now,...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Aug 9, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: The Truth Last year at this time, I was on vacation and that proves true in this year as well. Last year, I wrote an essay about the Olympics and the political campaign which were both taking place at that time. My theme centered on “giving your...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jul 26, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Apostolorum Apostola This past Saturday, for the second time, the Church celebrated the “Feast of Mary Magdalene.” One year ago, in June 2016, the Congregation for Worship elevated her memorial to a feast in the decree "Apostolorum Apostola,"...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jul 12, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: The Childlike Some time ago I read a quotation from William Makepeace Thackeray and its truth holds a firm place in my mind: “‘Mother’ is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children." Whenever I am around small children—whether in...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jun 28, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: To Be Worthy of the Lord As so often happens in Scripture, care for one’s family emerges as the highest and most rigorous of human loves; it becomes the measure for any human relationship. Yet, the Lord’s invitation to be specially “his” is...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jun 14, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Trinity and Community Vincent held out two great teachings of the Church for particular reverence by the members of the Congregation: the Incarnation and the Trinity. This past Sunday, we celebrated our triune God. The primary symbol for a life of...
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 31, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: The Paraclete Usually when I consider the word “Paraclete,” I think of “advocate” or “intercessor” or “counselor” or some such term. “Paraclete” is, of course, one of the ways in which we often refer to the Holy Spirit. As we approach the...