“Sometimes a work fails, not because a similar institution has been set up beside it and outdone it, but it has brought about its own ruin by making use of means contrary to the spirit of Christ in order to maintain itself in the first place.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

– As I go about my work, Lord, help me to remember how important it is to do it ethically and with the right motives. The end never does justify the means.

“You must look forward. At all events this life is worth possessing, if it were only because while we have it we are candidates for a better one.” (CW 1:47)
– St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

– Lord, help me to put away all the burdens of the past and the fears I have for the future. Take from me anything that prevents me from moving toward a greater union with you.

“Are you weary after all the happenings and difficulties of the day? Well, in the evening you have this beneficial refreshment which will give energy to all your actions.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

– When cares wear me down, restore and renew me, Lord, through the reading of your Scripture.

“After a storm comes sunshine, and the good God, who casts down and raises up again, makes joy succeed affliction, and lets the effects of his power be in the measure of our hope founded on goodness.” (CCD 6:140)
– St. Vincent de Paul

– Dear God, I put my trust in you because you are my unfailing hope in time of need.

“Though truth and sincerity should ever guard our words, yet we should be careful never to offend others.”
– St. Louise de Marillac

– Lord, I want to be honest and upright in my dealings with others. Keep from me all thoughts of vengeance or retaliation toward those who may have hurt me through a mistaken idea of speaking truth.

“We must not judge the designs of God according to human reason, although our puny minds incline us to do so.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

– O God, sometimes your ways are a mystery to me, too great to comprehend. Let it be enough to know you love me and that I accept, even when I don’t understand.

“Naturally everyone wants the best for himself, whereas Our Lord wishes us to prefer the worst.” (CCD 7:515)
– St. Vincent de Paul

Instead of seeking the best for myself, Lord, teach me that only my very best is good enough for those I will be serving today.

“God can show his power by means of weak instruments. Blessed be his Holy Name!” (CCD 8:66)
– St. Vincent de Paul

– Lord, I thank you for the gift of this moment, this hour and this day. I consecrate to you all the good coming from my actions, whether great or small.

“All our happiness consists in fulfilling the will of God, and it is real wisdom to desire nothing but that.” (CCD 4:290)
– St. Vincent de Paul

– When I stray away, looking for happiness in wealth, power and prestige, lead me back to you, O Lord, because you alone can bring me lasting joy.

“What ordinarily deceives us is the appearance of good according to human reason which never, or rarely, falls in with the Divine.” (CCD 2:520)
– St. Vincent de Paul

– Help me, O Lord, to look beyond appearances and hold fast to what is honest and true.