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: Thoughts on the Cross](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2015/11/fr.-griffin-reflections.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
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.”
by Pat Griffin, CM | July 21, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments
Suppose that you served on the committee that debated the choice of the week to honor St. Joseph. What day would you pick?
by Pat Griffin, CM | July 7, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
All of us have probably seen a representation of that statue that sits on the desk of Pope Francis—the sleeping Joseph.
by Pat Griffin, CM | June 23, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
All of us have probably seen a representation of that statue that sits on the desk of Pope Francis—the sleeping Joseph.
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...
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.
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 | 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...
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 17, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Taking a Second (Better) Look I think it is rare that we get things right the first time—at least, that is my experience. In order to learn how to do something, I need to do it more than once. To really understand something, to really allow it to...
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 3, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Seeing and Believing Two words seem to emerge regularly in our Gospel readings of the Easter Season: one word is “seeing” and the other is “believing.” I think these powerful words go together as we think about the way in which we express and grow...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Apr 19, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: A Feast for the Senses Life. The very air pulses with the celebration of the gift of life on the evening when we remember and we celebrate the paschal mystery. On this night, Jesus was raised from the dead to live forever and to draw us into...