“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 resulting from it may give You glory.

“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 go.

“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.”
– St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of life, and when my next birthday comes around, I will make a sincere effort to review my personal goals in the light of eternity.

“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 owe them everything.

“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 through me.

“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 action.

“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 humility and modesty in the use of my talents.

“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, Lord, give me the grace to be satisfied that the good accomplished will only be realized over time.

“When we meet with things very pleasing, before yielding to the joy they elicit, let us raise our hearts to God and thank His loving mercy which sends us the consolation.”
– St. Louise de Marillac

Lord, it seems that I always call upon you with my needs, but seldom in times of joy. I will make an effort to remember that you are the cause of my consolation and joy.