For me, the word most frequently invoked as one reflects upon and participates in the call to synodality in the current Church is “listening.”
![A Vincentian View: Synodality and Listening](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2015/11/fr.-griffin-reflections.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
by Pat Griffin, CM | July 17, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac both held Saint Francis de Sales in high esteem.
by Pat Griffin, CM | July 3, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
I love to teach about the Psalms. When I do, the first image that I offer to suggest the breadth and depth of these biblical poems/songs is an Art Gallery.
by Pat Griffin, CM | June 19, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
We pray for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as we pray and live the Gospel.
by Pat Griffin, CM | June 5, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
On the campus of both Niagara University and St. John’s University, identical life-size metal statues of the Blessed Mother stand outside in grassed areas.
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 16, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
For me, the word most frequently invoked as one reflects upon and participates in the call to synodality in the current Church is “listening.”
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 2, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
Sometimes when I read the Scriptures, a word pops out for me in a way that it has not done before.
by Pat Griffin, CM | Feb 16, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
If you have ever seen Fiddler on the Roof, you may remember the prayer of Tevye.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.