Articles for Vincentian Family

A Vincentian View: Being Rich in What Matters to God

by Pat Griffin, CM | August 3, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments

The blessing of abundance carries with it a responsibility. Jesus points out that truth when he tells the parable of the rich man with the abundant harvest.

A Vincentian View: The Better Part

by Pat Griffin, CM | July 20, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment

One of Vincent’s instructions to the Daughters of Charity involved the decision on what to do when the obligation for prayer and the obligation for service collided.

A Vincentian View: Bearing the Marks of Jesus

by Pat Griffin, CM | July 6, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 3 Comments

Paul ordinarily employed a scribe to write down the letters that he dictated for the benefit of his local churches. Sometimes, however, he picks up the pen himself to write a last few lines.

A Vincentian View: The Body of Christ

by Pat Griffin, CM | June 22, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments

On occasion, some college campuses run a program called “The Last Lecture.” We have done it a few times at St. John’s.

A Vincentian View: Synodality and Listening

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.”

A Vincentian View: Be Kind

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.

A Vincentian View: Blessed are the Poor

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.

A Vincentian View: The Sleeping Jesus

by Pat Griffin, CM | Jun 23, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

All of us have probably seen a representation of that statue that sits on the desk of Pope Francis—the sleeping Joseph.

A Vincentian View: Our Daily Bread

by Pat Griffin, CM | Jun 9, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

Remember the Exodus instructions to the people Israel in the desert? Each morning, they may collect only enough “manna” to feed them for the day (Exod 16:4-15).

A Vincentian View: The Life Within

by Pat Griffin, CM | May 26, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

Mary knew Joseph. As we are attentive to her, we learn about the one who stood beside her for much of her life.

Unrecognized Experts

by John Freund, CM | May 19, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change, Vincentian Family

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

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

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 | Apr 28, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

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.