- Writing to his students, Bl. Frederic wrote: "Gentlemen, have faith in the era in which you are living. If you see that the old walls of Christian civilization fall down destroyed, trust that new, solid parapets will be raised for your protection and defense. For...

"Duplicity is not pleasing to God and to be truly simple we should propose to ourselves no other end but to please God alone." (CCD 4:471) - St. Vincent de Paul - Heavenly Father, I ask for a conscience that is sensitive to all the nuances of honesty and truthfulness....

"If our abode is on Calvary, let us be assured that Jesus crucified is pleased to see us there." (SW: 570) - St. Louise de Marillac - Lord, when I reflect on how much you were wiling to give to redeem me, the sufferings I have to endure seem so very small in...

"When we are satisfied that we have done everything in our power for the happy issue of any affair, we should preserve our tranquility and peace, whatever may be the result." (Possibly CCD 7:400) - St. Vincent de Paul - How hard it is for me to remain at peace when...

"Am I in full Charity with all?" (CW 2:588) - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton - Today, I will examine my relationships in your presence, Lord, and see if my love for others is truly 'full', or if there are areas in need of improvement.

"The perfection of prayer, as well as an interior perfection, does not consist in prayer of more or less sublimity, but in Charity." - St. Vincent de Paul - Lord, sometimes I am more caught up in the feelings I experience in prayer than in its end result. Teach me how...

"God does not ask us to keep an account of the visible fruits of our charity; he asks us simply to love 'with all our strength'. He does not ask us to give him the world, but to 'give him ourselves'." - Rev. Joseph Jamet, C.M. - Today, Lord, I offer myself to you with...

"Small negligences create the greatest useless expense." - St. Vincent de Paul - Being a faithful steward involves attention to many details, if useless expense is to be prevented. Lord, teach me how to properly care for what is placed in my charge because these...

- Writing to the rich, Bl. Frederic wrote: "Thrift is not the first of virtues. Spend freely and wisely where money can provide work and relieve distress." - Bl. Frederic Ozanam - Lord, help me to be open-handed in giving my time and resources to the service of those...

"Some persons look and never see; others see and never look." - St. Vincent de Paul - Lord, is it possible to have sight and yet be blind? Never let me be so preoccupied with my own temporal concerns that I blot out the needs of my poor brothers and sisters who have...