"A Sister of Charity's Rule of Life should be for her what wings are to a bird-- motive force without weight." - St. Vincent de Paul - Lord, we all need direction or a rule of life. May these structures provide us with a sure and simple way to you.

"Let us accustom ourselves to entreat rather than command; to instruct more by example than by precept." - St. Louise de Marillac - Heavenly Father, may my influence for good be felt more by my example than by my words.

"I beg Our Lord to be pleased to renew His Spirit in you so that all your activities be His and the resulting fruits be fruits of everlasting life." - St. Vincent de Paul - Today, Lord, I rededicate myself to You and ask for a fresh outlook on my work so the good...

"You must not be surprised at being tempted since the Gospel assures us that Our Lord himself was tempted." - St. Vincent de Paul - When my humanity gets in the way and I am tempted to take the easy way out of something, be there, Lord, to show me the right way to...

"I have observed that any good resolutions or exercises begun at the recurring period of our birthday are more seriously impressed upon the mind, when we reflect that a birthday on earth more easily transfers our thoughts to the birthday of our future existence." -...

"What God asks of us in particular is to have great care to serve the poor, who are our Lords. Oh yes! They are our Masters." - St. Vincent de Paul - O God, teach me how to serve the poor with great tenderness and compassion, realizing I am indeed their servant and...

"God makes use of the humblest instruments, for the extraordinary operation of His grace." - St. Vincent de Paul - Loving Father, I believe you can do all things. Make me a worthy instrument of your grace so that the good you want done for others may be accomplished...

"God rejects the gifts of those who are wedded to their own will." - St. Louise de Marillac - Lord, teach me how to be open and listen to the advice and opinions of others. Above all, the humility to compromise or change when wisdom shows me a better course of...

"Make use of God's gifts quite simply; if you think you have done anything good, attribute the glory to God." - St. Vincent de Paul - Lord, forgive me for the times I seem to forget that all my gifts and abilities come from you and didn't originate from me! Teach me...

"The most excellent works are not those that have the most pomp, extent or renown, but rather those where you can most easily get at souls, and do them good." - St. Vincent de Paul - Sometimes the work I do seems endless and without noticeable results. At those times,...