"Many contradictory things happen to us: unfavorable opinions about ourselves, our works, our intentions. These contradictions have the advantage of preventing vain-glory, of obliging us to throw ourselves more confidently into the arms of God." - St. Vincent de Paul...

"What, my sister? You bear with me so much, why should I not support you?" (SW: 654) - St. Louise de Marillac - Heavenly Father, I ask you to help me live with my own brokenness and have the mercy to forgive and support those with whom I live or work and who also bear...

"May the good pleasure of God be forever the peace and calm of your afflicted hearts." (CCD 7:15) - St. Vincent de Paul "Hearken, O Lord, to my prayer and attend to the sound of my pleading. In the day of my distress I call upon you, for you will answer me."- Psalms...

"A weathervane is not more subject to air currents than the mind of a man to exterior agitations which draw him now to one thing, again to another. God permits this to test the good and to make them turn more strongly to him. Blessed are those who submit to his...

"Every step we take all day long is a step of nature or a step of grace." (CW 3a:258) - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton - Lord, I rejoice in my freedom to choose and in the knowledge that my life is formed by my choices. Help me to choose whatever is your will for me.

"Men are so constituted that even the holiest are disposed to contradict each other." (CCD 4:232+233) - St. Vincent de Paul - Keep far away from me, O Lord, the desire to argue and contradict others. When I do fail, give me the grace to be the first to apologize.

"We belong to God by his grace. What else do we wish, then, but to please him? If we are contradicted, this is not surprising; what merit is there in not being crossed? And who is there that can escape it? For every little contradiction, should one stop doing good?...

"The thought that Our Lord himself had much to suffer from his disciples will greatly encourage you, for the more our sorrows resemble his, the more pleasing we are to him. If this were not my consolation, what would become of me?" (CCD 4:103) - St. Vincent de Paul -...

"That peace which is the portion of the chosen servants of God is seldom unmixed with interior struggles." - from Life of Mrs. Eliza A. Seton by Charles Ignatius White, p. 169 - Even in the midst of the most painful experiences of my life, knowing you love me and are...

"We are living at a time when one must not incur useless expense. Public distress surrounds us on all sides. It is feared that it may overtake us; and, even should we be spared, compassion should urge us to do all we can for those who suffer." (CCD 4:280) - St....