Quote: May 31

“We should assist the Poor in every way and do it both by ourselves and by enlisting the help of others … to do this is to preach the gospel by word and by work.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

 

Lord, make my loves for you be like a living flame which spreads itself to all in its path, its intensity transformed into loving care of your poor.

Quote: May 30

“ … I think God gives you enough courage to make good use of all the slanders; provided he be not offended, what do you care?”

~ St. Louise de Marillac

 

It is painful to know someone hates or dislikes me. At those times, Lord, make me strong enough to forgive unconditionally as you would have me do.

Quote: May 29

“Picture to yourself that there are millions of souls with outstretched arms calling you!”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

 

The needs of the poor are so vast, it overwhelms me to think of who needs help the most. Instead of dwelling on what I am unable to do, Lord, inspire me with an awareness of the needs of those I meet today and what I can do to make a difference in their lives.

Quote: May 28

“I see that faith is a gift of God to be diligently sought and earnestly desired, and groan to him for it in silence, since our Savior says I cannot come to him unless the Father draws me.”

~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

 

When my daily agenda is too full and a multitude of noisy distractions surround me, it is hard to hear your invitation to come apart and rest in you. Be with me as I once more reorder my priorities. Without you, nothing else matters.

Quote: May 27

“God always blesses humble beginnings more than those that make a big stir!”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Forgive me, Father, for the times I’ve made a big show of things, forgetting that the good I do needs only to be seen by you.

Quote: May 26

“ … to give of one’s means is nothing if one does not give oneself, and employ every moment of one’s life, and even expose it to danger for the love of God, in serving the poor.”

~ St. Louise de Marillac

Lord, you have been so generous to me. Show me how to serve without counting the cost.

Quote: May 25

“It is an obligation for us to inconvenience ourselves for the service of the Poor.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Sometimes the poor can be very demanding and want their needs met at the most inconvenient times. When these situations arise, remind me, Lord, that I am their servant.

Quote: May 24

“How can we live an interior life until some of our natural rubbish is removed?”

~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Lord, I want to be whole. Heal whatever in me is broken. In spite of the pain I sometimes feel in my life, I appreciate the freedom you give me to experience it and still place all my trust in you.

Quote: May 23

“The more you give to Our Lord, the more blessings you will receive. His yoke is sweet to him who embraces it willingly.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Today, Lord, in thanksgiving for your many blessings. I will find a little time to spend with a lonely or forgotten person.

Quote: May 22

“Do not overburden yourself with rules and practices; strengthen yourself to fulfill well those you have, especially as regards your daily actions and employments; in short, let your greatest concern be to do well what you do.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, sometimes my days are so hectic. I need your guidance in my decision making so that what I do is really necessary and for your glory and not my own

Quote: May 21

“If only we have courage, we will go to heaven on horseback instead of idling and creeping along.”

~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

I will pray today for fortitude, that wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit, which will enable me to overcome whatever stands in the way of my union with God and service to others.

Quote: May 20

“A grain of charity suffices to calm many anxieties and ease many differences.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Heavenly Father, when the opportunity to be a peacemaker comes my way, help me to accept it and show your love equally to those with opposing views.

Quote: May 19

“You see a great deal of distress that you are unable to relieve. God sees it also. Bear the pains of the poor together with them, doing all you can to give them whatever help they need, and remain in peace.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, when I feel overwhelmed by the distress I am unable to relieve, help me to fell your presence and realize You are well aware of all those needs and provide me with the direction I need.

Quote: May18

“Gently and imperceptibly, the angels inspire us to do good and then leave us perfectly free to do it or not.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

I am grateful, Lord for those countless promptings to do good which come my way and the loving protection of your angels.

Quote: May 17

“We must learn the hard lesson of submission; and once this had been accomplished, everything that comes after will be rendered easy.”

~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Why do I find it so hard to completely turn my life over to you, Lord? Drive away from the fear of what you might ask of me and replace it with the peace that only comes from a total gift of self to you.

Quote: May 16

“Those whom you serve should feel the efforts of your kindheartedness.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, let the great love I know you have for me, shine through my actions so others may experience your great loving compassion.

Quote: May 15

“Our good God wishes that all which is past remain in oblivion. The only thing you have to do is make good use of the present, but you must ask this grace of him.”

~ St. Louise de Marillac

How wonderful it is to know that I am forgiven so completely by you, Lord! Teach me to forgive others without holding on to resentment or bitterness.

Quote: May 14

“Our Lord is a perpetual Communion to those who are united to His will.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, I want to do your will. Show me what you want of me this day and give me the grace to do it.

Quote: May 12

“Free your mind of anything that troubles you; God will take care of it.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, I put all my trust in you, knowing that whatever worries me can never be totally frightening because you are there with me.

Quote: May 11

“Blessed Guardians – be watchful. Help us to use well the grace of the moment in the care and instruction of the little ones under our charge. Watch over them with us.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Heavenly guardian angels, keep watch over families and especially the children. Let no harm come to them or those committed to our care.

Quote: May 10

“A charitable word is all that is sometimes necessary to convert an obdurate heart. In like manner one bitter word is capable of afflicting a soul and plunging it into a sadness that may be most injurious.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, help me to recognize the good in others and try to win them to you with kindness and encouragement.

Quote: May 9

“How good it is to trust God! Turn to Him often, then, as children look to their father and mother in their need.”

~ St. Louise de Marillac

Dear God, I believe in You and place all my confidence in You, believing that my trust will never be confounded.

Quote: May 8

“We should spend at least as much time in thanking God for His favors as we have in asking them.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Heavenly Father, I am grateful for all the blessings You constantly pour out on me. Today in my prayer, I will take time to think about them.

Quote: May 7

“Do it all God’s way.”

~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Those close to you, Lord, know the peace which comes from completely abandoning themselves in Your Divine Providence. Teach me how to do this as I move through the hours and days of my life.

Quote: May 6

“We should read good and useful books, and abstain from reading those that only gratify our curiosity.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Help me, Lord, to be more discriminating in my reading and exposure to the media. I don’t want my senses to be so loaded with what is useless, that I can’t hear you speaking to me.

Quote: May 5

“Into whatsoever state of blindness or obscurity I may fall, in whatever ignorance of God’s ways I may chance to be, if I seek out God in the simplicity of my heart, I will surely find him.”

~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Lord, I know you will not despise a contrite, sincere heart. I only want to love and praise you for your great goodness to me, today, and all the days of my life.