“Every day we must direct our actions anew towards God and make them pass from the demands of nature to the call of grace.”
– Mother Suzanne Guillemin, D.C.

Lord, as I begin this brand new day, help me to think less of my own selfish desires and more of others.

“It requires fortitude to be silent concerning personal ills and fatigue.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

When I am tempted to relate every detail about my personal problems, Lord, help me to keep them to myself, realizing that others must deal with sufferings far greater than mine.

Writing to encourage establishment of conferences in Siena: “You have rich children, O My Father, what a useful and beneficial lesson and how strengthening to enervated hearts to show them the poor; that is, to show them Jesus Christ not only in images painted by the great masters, but to show them Jesus Christ in the persons of the poor.”
– Bl. Frederic Ozanam

Thank you, Lord, for the many opportunities I have of serving you in others.

“Work quietly, without attracting notice.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, when I find myself wanting to be excessively noticed or appreciated, I will find peace in knowing your love for me is unconditional.

“We should wait in silence for the gifts of the Spirit. Mary was in the upper room with the apostles. She kept silence while awaiting the descent of the Spirit.”
– St. Catherine Laboure

Mary, you received such an abundance of gifts from the Holy Spirit. Help me to persevere in prayer for the gifts I so much need.

“Continue to view the affairs and doings of the neighbor in a spirit of charity; should his actions have a hundred sides, always look at the best.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

Because you alone can read the motives of others, Lord, only you can judge their actions. Make me ever mindful of my own sinfulness and need for forgiveness.

“We should raise our eyes to God at the beginning of our actions; make an act of humility, knowing ourselves unworthy to perform them, and an act of charity, undertaking them for His love and offering them to Him united to the same actions which His Son performed while He was on earth.”
– St. Louise de Marillac

Lord, I consecrate to you every action of my day. May each hour bring me to further opportunities to serve you. To your glory be all the good accomplished.

“Know how to maintain silence in order to fulfill the demand of professional secrecy.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

No harm can ever result from keeping confidences secure, while failures can only result in dire consequences. Lord, grant me a great respect for my professional responsibilities in this regard.

“Charity, in order to be Christian, must be directed to the individual person, thus counteracting the contrary trends which are so much in evidence today. It must be respectful and impartial.”
– Rev. Joseph Jamet, C.M.

Lord, if it is your face I see in every person I meet today, I can’t help but honor and respect the image.

“Your nightly duty is laden with heavy responsibility and it is only through rest, sensibly taken, that you will possess the presence of mind your duty demands.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

Often the press of responsibilities is so great I fail to attend to my own personal needs. Help me to realize that burning the candle at both ends can only result in destroying the whole thing when the two ends finally do meet.