Quote: January 31

"We should be faithful in little things, keep ourselves in the presence of God, and have a great desire to please him."

~ St. Louise de Marillac

Lord, fidelity is the special gift I ask for today. May my words and actions always show me to be your faithful follower.

Quote: January 30

“One can never have too great a supply of patience and mild persuasion.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, when I have failed to succeed in persuading anyone to another course of action, it was probably because of my impatient and aggressive manner. Create in me a gentle patience that respects the views of others and seeks to persuade in a non-threatening manner.

Quote: January 29

“New works, however holy, do not develop unless they have a promoter who follows them closely.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

O God, remove from me all fear of new beginnings. Give me the courage I need to undertake and see to completion good works done in your name.

Quote: January 28

“Human passions and weaknesses are never extinct, but they cannot triumph in a heart possessed by peace. She is lovely; make acquaintance with her. She will not be angry that you neglected her so long.”

~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

When I feel discouraged because I seem to be guilty of the same old faults, help me to remember that my life is a journey and you love me in spite of my flaws.

Quote: January 27

“Our Lord has no use for our knowledge or our good works if he does not possess our heart; and even this heart he does not wish if we do not give it to him when he asks.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, I offer you my heart today, take it and make it your own. When you ask sacrifices of me, give me the grace to be generous and whole hearted in my response.

Quote: January 26

“The conversion of a soul is not a thing done once and for all. This conversion, our conversion must take place daily. Every day we must direct our soul anew towards God and make it pass from the demands of nature to the call of grace.”

~ Sister Suzanne Guillemin, DC

Let me live each day to the fullest, Lord. Only with you at my side can I reach my true potential.

Quote: January 25

“I am asking Our Lord that we may die to ourselves in order to rise with him. May he be the joy of your heart, the end and soul of your actions, and your glory in heaven!”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

I must die to my selfish, sinful desires and attachments if I want to rise with you, Jesus. Help me to rid myself of all that keeps me from union with you, who are the real joy of my heart.

Quote: January 24

“It is from prayer that we must expect the light and strength that are indispensable for a veritable renewal; it is in prayer that we shall discover the particular points toward which we should direct our efforts.”

~ Sister Suzanna Guillemin, DC

Today, I resolve to find a few quiet moments to spend in your presence, Lord. There I hope to find the strength and courage I need to renew myself.

Quote: January 23

“Put yourself in the patient’s place and fancy how you would feel.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Putting myself in the place of the sick can only result in attention to what is most important to their comfort and care. Keep me conscious, Lord, of all those special needs, often not expressed but so much appreciated by those who suffer.

Quote: January 22

“By drawing closer to the poor, we draw closer to God. And we students must draw closer to God a little more every day, or we’ll find ourselves falling away from him.”

~ Blessed Frederic Ozanam

Lord, true peace and serenity come from serving you in others. May my love be strong enough to triumph over my weaknesses.

Quote: January 21

“Usually, God wills to save men through men; Our Lord, himself, became man to save all.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, help me to care for others as you have cared for me. May no opportunity for an encouraging word or a listening ear pass my by today.

Quote: January 20

“You must give the sick their remedies and nourishment at the proper time.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

If healing or a cure is to take place, the plan of care for the sick must be strictly kept. Lord, help me to be diligent in carrying out what is prescribed for myself or those in my care.

Quote: January 19

“The past is no longer in our power; the present is in our power, but the future is not. Let us take the opportunity of giving ourselves utterly and completely to God.”

~ St. Catherine Laboure

Heavenly Father, I want so much to give up my attachment to the past, especially to past hurts and guilt, which weigh me down and prevent my living the present to the fullest. I ask this grace in your most powerful name.

Quote: January 18

“Be watchful that nothing in your use be damaged or spoiled.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Heavenly Father, create in me a careful spirit that I may treat with respect whatever is mine to use, because ultimately it belongs to the poor.

Quote: January 17

“Sloth begets sin in the soul and disease in the body.”

~ St. Louise de Marillac

Lord, never let my own ease or selfishness come before the fulfillment of my obligations to family or to you.

Quote: January 16

“Grace has its moments. Let us abandon ourselves to the providence of God and be very careful not to run ahead of it.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, I want to make every moment of the present count. Create in me a great sensitivity to your grace working in others and in me, so no opportunity for good will be neglected today.

Quote: January 15

“Without prayer, I should be of little service.”

~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Before beginning my work today, I will take a few moments to reflect and listen to you speaking within me.

Quote: January 14

“I hope Our Lord will give you a share in the patience he practiced, not only in enduring fatigue but in seeing himself abandoned by many who began to follow him, even by the apostles, through no fault of his but because of their heedlessness.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, I will recall the situations and persons which seem to trigger unjustifiable anger in me and beg you to heal me of this fault.

Quote: January 13

“You will be judged not on efficiency and success, though these must be sought for, but on love; and your professional work must be the channel through which you express your love.”

~ Rev. Joseph Mamet, CM

Lord, your ways are not my ways. Sometimes I find myself caught up with being successful and competitive. Help me to keep a proper balance with your love as my first motivation.

Quote: January 12

“Aid the sick in a constructive way and call upon their cooperation.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Sometimes sick people fail to cooperate because they are afraid or disturbed by their lack of control over their situation. Help me to be a sensitive listener so I can become aware of their unspoken concerns.

Quote: January 11

“True charity, in our century, consists less in giving relief than in understanding and sustaining the effort for liberation which is agitating the classes and the minority groups.”

~ Sister Suzanna Guillemin, DC

O God, purify me of all my personal prejudices. Give me an understanding heart, always ready to listen and be open to opportunity for dialogue.

Quote: January 10

“God accepts the undertakings of one who presents things frankly just as they are.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, I want to be open and honest in everything I do or say. Teach me to be truthful without subterfuge, neither embellishing nor minimizing the facts as I see them. Give me the courage to do this.

Quote: January 9

“When in charity we feel we must give some spiritual counsel, we must never be so egotistical as to expect a hungry man, or one distracted by worry over the rent to listen to our words about God until we have helped to relieve our misery.”

~ Ven. Frederick Ozanam

Lord, help me to keep in mind that the poor must be relieved of their misery before giving them your message.

Quote: January 8

“Though the doctor is a member of the staff, he has need of your intelligent and devoted cooperation.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Heavenly Father, it is so important in this day and age for physician and staff to work as a team. Keep me mindful that the input of all members of the team are necessary for the positive outcome of the work being done.

Quote: January 7

“Oh! How beautiful and consoling the name of Mary is!”

~ St. Catherine Laboure

Mary, you are always ready to obtain the graces I need, if I but ask for them. Keep me faithful to my commitments and teach me how to live a humble, simple life.

Quote: January 6

“It is from your hands that Our Lord in the person of the sick, seeks relief.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, help me t make time today to serve you in those who are most in need of encouragement or assistance.

Quote: January 5

“Come now, let us engage ourselves with renewed love to serve the poor, and let us even seek out the poorest and most abandoned of all.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Fill me Lord with fresh enthusiasm for my service to your poor. Keep me faithful to the promises I have made to you.

Quote: January 4

“When our strength is gone, God makes us realize our helplessness which obliges us to ask him to send good laborers into his vineyard.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, when I feel weak and powerless, come and be my strength.

Quote: January 3

“Wherever we may be, God is with us, so we must be always joyful.”

~ St. Louise de Marillac

Lord, may your abiding presence be a source of peace and joy to me and those I meet today.

Quote: January 2

“This is true contentment – to hope for nothing, desire nothing, expect nothing.”

~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Lord, true contentment can only come from being satisfied with who I am and with what you have chosen to gift me. May I never seek anything that will keep me from accomplishing your will.

Quote: January 1

“I am asking Our Lord to be himself, your strength and your life, as he is to all who nourish themselves with his love.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

My soul as well as my body needs to be nourished on a regular basis. As “food” for my soul I will set aside some time each day for quiet prayer and reflection.