“Evil always leaves some impression on the soul, if we do not envelop ourselves in a cloak of prayer and humility … the greatest cedars fall.”
~ St. Vincent de Paul
It
is only through prayer that I can come to know myself and ask for the graces I
need to overcome sin and temptation in my life. Gift me with the humility to
see that I can do nothing good without you, Lord.
“Looking up steadily spares the pain, both of retrospection and anticipation.”
~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Lord, at times I am overwhelmed with guilt about my past actions and so filled with dread about the future, I am unable to move ahead in the here and now. Give me the grace to lay aside these negative thoughts and fill me with the confidence I need to deal with the present.
“Rash judgments are what Jesus most reproved in the Gospel.”
~ St. Vincent de Paul
Lord, because I can never know the motives or interior struggles of another person, help me to avoid those thoughtless judgments I so often make about the actions of others. Forgive me for my failures in this regard.
“One of the most powerful reasons to induce us to love God is the conviction we enjoy that he loves us.”
~ St. Louise de Marillac
Blessed Lord, I am humbled every time I think of your unconditional love for me – a love that knows no limits. Help me extend that same love to others.
“Our happiness lies in the cross; even Our Lord did not will to enter His glory except through sufferings.”
~ St. Vincent de Paul
Lord, I’ll never fully understand the mystery of suffering. All I ask is that you keep giving me the grace to use it well as a means of growth in your spirit.
“This union of my soul with God is my wealth in poverty and joy in deepest affliction.”
~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
O God, see my poverty and have pity on me. Enable me to share freely the gifts you have given and find true contentment even in the middle of pain and sorrow.
“These are very few for so much work! Our Lord will have to labor with you!”
~ St. Vincent de Paul
When the volume of work overwhelms me and I am discouraged because of shortages of staff, remind me Lord, that it only takes a small piece of yeast to leaven dough, and you never ask more of me than I can give. Be with me to carry the load, my ever present Lord!
“Continue to look after your sick and your little girls, in union with the care Our Lord took of the sick and little children – services which he strongly recommended to others. Life is short and great is the reward.”
~ St. Louise de Marillac
In your lifetime, Lord, you showed your special love for the sick and children. Your example is my inspiration, as it was for St. Louise.
“I bet Our Lord that in his goodness he may animate you with his true Spirit.”
~ St. Vincent de Paul
Lord, your love is so great it extends beyond all boundaries all human understanding. Enkindle in me a great desire to spread your kingdom to all those with whom I come in contact today.
“What are our real trials? By what name shall we call them? One cuts out a cross of pride, another of causeless discontent, another one of restless impatience or punish fretfulness. But is the whole any better than children’s play if looked at with the common eyes of reason, much more the pure eyes of faith.”
~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
When I compare my own crosses to those of others, Lord, mine appear so trivial against what I see others having to bear. Help me to see my crosses as opportunities for sharing in your passion and sufferings which paid the price of any redemption.
“Since God has entrusted to you the care of the family, he will impart you the requisite qualities for the proper discharge of that duty. Let him act and do not be disturbed when things go against your wishes. Be particularly on your guard not to give pain to any one but be a consolation to all.”
~ St. Vincent de Paul
Lord, leadership requires a special set of virtues especially when care of souls is involved. If that function is required of me, I beg you to endow me with the qualities of a true servant, always ready to listen and support those under my care.
“How fortunate you are to have such a large number of sick to look after! Oh how obvious it is that God loves you since he gives you so many opportunities of serving him! Continue to do this for love of him, with all the necessary gentleness, care, and charity.”
~ St. Louise de Marillac
Lord, I am grateful for all the opportunities you give me to show your compassion and love to the sick and those entrusted to my care.
“Our Lord will be your consideration; this I ask of him for you with all my heart.”
~ St. Vincent de Paul
How comforting it is to know that in all the times of my life, the good and the bad, you are here and your presence brings peace and healing to my spirit.
“To correspond to the grace of the moment means a wonderful union between you and God all day.”
~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
It is hard to comprehend how much you are concerned with all the details of my life, Lord. I will consult you often in the course of my day.
“The sufferings of Our Lord gave fecundity to His words, and your crosses will also give it to the holy seed you plant in hearts.”
~ St. Vincent de Paul
Create in me, Lord, a compassionate heart, softened and not embittered by the sufferings of my life.
“I beg of you to show the poor great affection.”
~ St. Louise de Marillac
True affection comes from respect for the whole person. Lord, grant that my service of the poor to be rooted in reverence for the dignity of the human person, your special creation.
“The blessing of God rests more on humble beginnings than on those that are blazoned with glory.”
~ St. Vincent de Paul
Lord, keep me content with the routine of my life and the simple satisfactions it brings.
“Fervor is a fire that makes things boil and grow hot, just as fire causes water to boil. It is, probably speaking, Charity on fire, and that is what you should have, because a Daughter without Charity is like a body without a soul.”
~ St. Vincent de Paul
Fervor requires that I go out of my way, over and beyond what is ordinarily asked of me. In prayer I will ask you for this grace, Lord.
“Truth does not depend on the people around us or the place we are in.”
~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Even though I value truth, yet there are occasions when I fail to live up to my ideals. Forgive these shortcomings and inspire me to do better in the future.
“It is in silence that we can hear God speak to our hearts.”
~ St. Vincent de Paul
You speak to me, Lord, but often I can’t hear you because I don’t take time to listen in silence. I will plan to take time today for quiet reflection.
“Every good action is a grain of seed for eternal life.”
~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Time seems to fly these days and now I am painfully aware of the missed opportunities for good I could have done. Help me to be less concerned about temporal matters and more about the things of the spirit.
“Allow yourself to be led by his Fatherly love, for he does love us and is far from rejecting a righteous man; he will not even abandon a wicked man who hopes in his mercy.”
~ St. Vincent de Paul
Heavenly Father, the only thing I can be sure of is your love for me. Protect me and lead me as I go about my day.
“Our good God knows how to knock the pride out of us.”
~ St. Louise de Marillac
Dear God, don’t let me become proud or complacent about my achievements. In everything, teach me to be humble and acknowledge that of myself I cant do anything.
“The work of Our Lord is dependent less upon many workers, than upon the fidelity of the few he calls.”
~ St. Vincent de Paul
Lord, you know my many human weaknesses and inability to do anything good without your help. Make me strong in faith and true to the vocation to which you have called me.
“It suffices that God sees our hearts.”
~ St. Vincent de Paul
Lord, how painful it is to be misunderstood! At those times, instead of trying to justify myself I will remember your example and remain in peace.
“You will help others more by the peace and tranquility of your heart than by any eagerness or care you can bestow on them.”
~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
“Your patients need a share of your joy.”
~ St. Vincent de Paul
Today Heavenly Father, I will find occasions to relax and laugh so others may see the joy I feel in being with them.
“When the Spirit of God dwells in souls, he delivers them from that weakness which makes them ask, “What will people say?”
~ St. Louise de Marillac
Deliver me, Lord, from being overly concerned about the opinions of others when the only important thing is to do what is right in your eyes.
“Charity is like a flame which soars aloft. When present in a soul, charity raises it aloft to God and draws God to it in such a way that if you could see the beauty of it, you would fall in love with it and be transported with astonishment.”
~ St. Vincent de Paul
Lord, cause Charity to so inflame my heart that everything I do will be an act of love for you.
“The best ingredients of happiness are: order, peace and solitude.”
~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Sometimes I look for happiness in the wrong places, Lord. Today I will think of ways to provide time for the solitude I need to recharge my spiritual “batteries” and reflect on my priorities.
