“You must not be surprised or frightened by one bad year or by several. God is infinitely rich. Until now, nothing has been wanting to you, why fear for the future?”
– St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, when I reflect on all you have done for me in the past and continue to do for me now, I put all my confidence in you as to the future.

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 this civilization, which has cost a great deal for the Martyrs, Saints, and Popes to build will never perish. With these words of hope, I bid you goodbye.”
– Bl. Frederic Ozanam

Lord, you are the God of all hope. When I feel tired or depressed, I will remember the great price you paid that I may have hope.

“Duplicity is not pleasing to God and to be truly simple we should propose to ourselves no other end but to please God alone.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

Heavenly Father, I ask for a conscience that is sensitive to all the nuances of honesty and truthfulness. Forgive my past failures in this regard.

“If our abode is on Calvary, let us be assured that Jesus crucified is pleased to see us there.”
– 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 comparison.

“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.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

How hard it is for me to remain at peace when everything around me seems to be falling apart. At those times comfort me with your healing presence, and bring peace to my soul.

“Am I in full Charity with all?”
– 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 to pray so I may love those I serve as much as I know you love me.

“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 all my gifts, desires and good intentions. I am grateful that you accept me and love me as I am.

“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 things belong to the poor and not to me.

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 most in need.