Pope Francis has decided that an emphasis in our Catholic community for the next few years will focus our attention on the concept of “synodality.”
Vincentian Family
Unrecognized Experts
by John Freund, CM | May 19, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change, Vincentian Family | 1 Comment
People experiencing poverty have an expertise that can not be taught in a classroom. They know their situation from the inside. They understand many dimensions of poverty that may not occur to us.
A Vincentian View: Mary’s Lessons on Joseph
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 12, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
Mary knew Joseph. As we are attentive to her, we learn about the one who stood beside her for much of her life.
Wide-angle View of the Vincentian Family
by John Freund, CM | May 5, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change | 2 Comments
We are people with a mission…to do what Jesus did. Pople who use the skills of their profession in frontline “field hospitals” or mobilize those who are committed to “seeking long-term solutions.”
A Vincentian View: Yearning for Home (Joseph and Psalm 137)
by Pat Griffin, CM | April 28, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
The Babylonians destroyed the Temple of Jerusalem in 587 BC and took most of the people of Israel into captivity—moving them from their ancestral home to foreign lands. Psalm 137 engages the feelings of those displaced persons.
A Vincentian View: The Holy Name of Jesus
by Pat Griffin, CM | Dec 8, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
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.”
A Vincentian View: A Thankful Man
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.
A Vincentian View: Promises
by Pat Griffin, CM | Apr 18, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “Promises” I have been thinking about promises. On Easter Sunday, I joined with a Christian community in renewing my baptismal promises. I am sure that many of you did as well. I rejected Satan and his empty promises, and I confessed my belief in...
A Vincentian View: Peace Be With You
by Pat Griffin, CM | Apr 4, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “Peace be with you” If you have gotten messages from me, you will see that I most often finish my notes with “Peace” or “Peace in the Risen Lord” or some such variation on “peace.” Many people may feel that it is a left over from my hippie-days and...
A Vincentian View: “Your Paul”
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 21, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “Your Paul” At different times, many of us have probably considered the difference between: (a) reading a story and then seeing the movie; and (b) seeing the movie and then reading the story. I am sure that I saw the Sherlock Holmes movies before I...
A Vincentian View: The Power of Gentleness
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 7, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “The Power of Gentleness” Do you remember Aesop’s fable about the contest between the sun and the wind? They were arguing about who was stronger. They saw a man walking along the road and agreed that whoever could get the coat off his back was...
A Vincentian View: Founder’s Week
by Pat Griffin, CM | Feb 21, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: "Founder's Week" In my day job, I am the Executive Director of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society (VCCS) at St. John’s University. That sounds pretty impressive and it does fill up a business card. In my office, I have a terrific Executive...
A Vincentian View: “Give me your tired, your poor”
by Pat Griffin, CM | Feb 7, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: "Give me your tired, your poor" When I was in grade school, I memorized lots of material for different subjects. This included much of the Baltimore Catechism. One recalled poem has been making an appearance in my mind more frequently in these...
Letter from Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, C.M. to the Leaders of the Vincentian Family
by Vincentian Family Office | Feb 5, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
On February 1, 2018, the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, Father Tomaž Mavrič, CM, 25th Successor of Saint Vincent de Paul, sent a letter to the Superiors and Leaders of the Vincentian branches, as well as to the national councils and regional...
A Vincentian View: A Vincentian Family
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jan 24, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: A Vincentian Family Sometimes it is hard not to take pride in being a member of the Vincentian Family. In my role as Director of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society at St. John’s University, I have been in Kenya for the past week. I came...
Pope Francis, St. Vincent and a Gen-X CEO
by John Freund, CM | Nov 11, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
What do Pope Francis, St. Vincent and a Gen-X CEO have in common? Visitors to this site will easily see connections between Pope Francis and St. Vincent. What might not be so obvious to them is how a Gen-X CEO belongs in their company.