"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...

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...

"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...

"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...

"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...

"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...

"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...

"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...

"The sign of Christ's love possessing a heart: Liberty of mind, constant awareness of others' needs and the demands of the apostolate." - Mother Suzanne Guillemin, D.C. Father, today, I will try to listen to the needs of those around me.