In the readings of the Easter Season, it sometimes seems that the two positions of “seeing” and “believing” are mutually exclusive.
Vincentian View
A Vincentian View: Filled with Compassion
by Pat Griffin, CM | September 15, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments
One can hardly imagine that Jesus could use the term “father” without some reflection on the one who had been his earthly father for most of his life, Joseph.
A Vincentian View: A Simple Man
by Pat Griffin, CM | September 1, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
I would love to have people describe me as “a simple man.”
A Vincentian View: Dwelling in the Lord’s House
by Pat Griffin, CM | August 18, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
How might Joseph have prayed and meditated on Psalm 27?
A Vincentian View: Joseph in the Eucharistic Prayers
by Pat Griffin, CM | August 4, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
An important maxim in Christian tradition affirms simply lex orandi, lex credendi that can be rendered “The law of praying is the law of believing.”
A Vincentian View: Thoughts on the Cross
by Pat Griffin, CM | Apr 13, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
The cross stands at the center of our reflection in these days. Lent summoned us to follow Jesus to the Jerusalem that...
A Vincentian View: Separation from the Father
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 30, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
A host of lessons arises within the story of the Prodigal Son. It continues to challenge and suggest as we reflect and recognize ourselves in the text.
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...
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...
A Vincentian View: Keeping in the Heart
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jan 3, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: Keeping in the Heart Some of my friends can be categorized as falling into one of two groups. In one are those people who keep everything and who are not particularly concerned with organization. Their desks are piled high with books and magazines...
A Vincentian View: Light in the Night
by Pat Griffin, CM | Dec 20, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: Light in the Night “Silent Night, Holy Night.” Like many of you, I have heard those words sung numerous times in the past weeks. An odd thought flitted through my mind during one of these recent hearings: “How do we know that Jesus was born at...
A Vincentian View: Remembering to be Grateful
by Pat Griffin, CM | Dec 6, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: Remembering to be Grateful Just about two weeks have passed since we celebrated Thanksgiving. I spent the day with many members of my family and felt the blessing which accompanies such a gathering. Leading those closest to me in prayer before we...
A Vincentian View: Three Stories – One Direction
by Pat Griffin, CM | Nov 22, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Three Stories—One Direction Have you noticed that in the Sunday Gospels of these weeks, the passages have all been taken from successive verses in the 25th chapter of Matthew? The “Parable of the Ten Virgins” is Mt 25:1-13 (November 12); the...
A Vincentian View: The Lord Hears
by Pat Griffin, CM | Nov 8, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: The Lord Hears A number of phrases in the Scriptures of the past weeks have stayed in the front of my mind. I have felt the truth of these words and the considerable summons which they offer. From one hearing, they bring consolation and...
A Vincentian View: Homelessness
by Pat Griffin, CM | Oct 25, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Homelessness Once every two years, St. John’s runs a “Poverty Conference.” This conference invites a discussion on an important situation in our society which impacts upon those who are poor and marginalized. In the past few years, issues like...