I would love to have people describe me as “a simple man.”

by Pat Griffin, CM | November 22, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
When we think about the celebration of Thanksgiving, one scriptural passage readily emerges from our Gospel readings.
by Pat Griffin, CM | November 8, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Each of the days that introduce the month of November—All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day—brings a different word to my mind.
by Pat Griffin, CM | October 25, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Have you been praying for peace in these days? I hope so. I certainly have. As I do so, I find myself reflecting on the meaning of the word “peace” and what it means for the Christian.
by Pat Griffin, CM | October 11, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
It requires little effort to multiply the reminders that this is God’s world and given to us as a gift and a responsibility.
by Pat Griffin, CM | Sep 1, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
I would love to have people describe me as “a simple man.”
by Pat Griffin, CM | Aug 18, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
How might Joseph have prayed and meditated on Psalm 27?
by Pat Griffin, CM | Aug 4, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
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 | Dec 14, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: The Vincentian Heart The Theology Department at St. John’s University has offered me the opportunity to teach the course on Vincent de Paul next semester. I really have enough to do, but the thought of teaching this course during the 400th...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Nov 30, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Your Children’s Children May the LORD bless you from Zion; may you see Jerusalem’s prosperity all the days of your life and live to see your children’s children (Ps 128:5-6) Last year at this time after Thanksgiving, I wrote about my grandnephew...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Nov 16, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: “Remembering” “God gave us memories so that we could have roses in December.” (J. M. Barrie) That line still sticks in my mind from high school because it flows out of my sentimental heart. It reminds me of the importance of memories and their...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Oct 19, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: “Human Stories” This past Saturday at St. John’s University, we launched the first of our ongoing series on interfaith dialogue. In collaboration with the Diocese of Brooklyn, the Vincentian Center at SJU will attempt to put together a whole day...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Oct 5, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “Our Kids” Founder’s Week (September 20-27) at St. John’s University celebrates St. Vincent de Paul whose spirit rests at the heart of our University. This year, the theme for our remembrance was “Vincentian Education: Illuminating minds, creating...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Sep 21, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View “The Joy of Being Found” Our Gospel of Sunday, September 11 contains the entire fifteenth chapter of Luke’s Gospel and the three parables therein. The ideas of being “lost” and “found” and “joyful” are central in each story. Listen again to the words...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Sep 7, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View “Payback” Imagine a world in which everyone had all that they needed, not too much and never too little. No one was hungry—there was always enough food. No one was naked—adequate clothing was available to all. No one needed shelter—everyone had a...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Aug 24, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View “Giving Your Best” I have been on vacation for the past two weeks. I feel fortunate that these were the two weeks of the Olympic Games. During the first week, I was with my two sisters and my brother’s family in Northboro, MA. We spent much of the...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jul 27, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Fr. Patrick J. Griffin, CM “Listening” Do you set aside books which you say that you are going to read when you get the chance? I try to do that during the summer. There are, of course, junk novels which I select for guilty pleasure, but there are...