“More is required of us than to go, to come, and to give; our intentions should be pure and thoroughly devoid of self-interest.”
– St. Louise de Marillac

Lord, remove from me the desire to please others or have myself noticed because of what I do in your service. Let the good deeds be done for you alone.

“Nature demands that trees be deeply rooted before they can bear fruit and this is a gradual process.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, help me to realize that my spiritual growth is the work of a lifetime; I must be deeply rooted in you for my work to become fruitful.

“All ships are exposed to storms but are not thereby doomed to perish. May Our Lord be your Strength, your Protector, your Sanctifier.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

Dear Father, be my ever present hope in the storm of life.

“Do we serve God in hope, looking to His promises, confiding in His love, seeking His kingdom, and leaving the rest to Him? Rejoice in hope, for Hope shall never be confounded.”
– St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

To live with Hope, means to live in a state of complete trust in you, Lord. Free me from all that keeps me from relying on your promises.

“As I myself am a great sinner, I cannot reject those who have sinned if they have good will.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, you have told me that I must forgive my brothers and sisters, as you have forgiven me. Forgive the stubbornness and pride which sometimes comes in the way of my overlooking the faults of those placed in my path. “Melt the frozen” and “warm the chill” of my heart today.

“God bestows a special blessing on the counsel we take in matters pertaining to his service.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

When I need help, Lord, don’t let my pride stand in the way of freely seeking the counsel I need.

“Instead of measuring your difficulties with your strength you must measure them with the powerful help you have a right to expect from God.”
– St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Often I fail to realize that I am never alone to cope with my problems. I rely on your powerful help to carry me through, Lord.

“We respond more to the prick of a rose than to its fragrance.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, how true it is that I pray to you more often in adversity than in good times. Give me a grateful heart to praise your goodness when all is well.

“Bitter thoughts come from the evil spirit; those from Our Lord are gentle and mild.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, it is so easy to yield to anger and impatience when things are stressful. Calm my quick temper when things don’t go my way. Keep me mindful that I owe my coworkers encouragement and not angry words.

“When God takes from us the power to labor, we should receive the trial courageously, letting it serve to elevate us above the things of earth and remembering that Our Lord, having permitted us to work for our neighbor, now wishes us to prepare for heaven.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

As I approach the twilight of my life, be with me O compassionate Lord. Let me rest in your presence because with you at my side, I have nothing to fear from death.