“You know how unwilling we are to deny ourselves, how unwilling to be reproved and contradicted, how a trifling thing will make us sad, how we delight to be commended while, with a sort of natural cruelty we see blame and faults in others which we are scarcely willing to excuse.”
– St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Holy Spirit, come with your gift of wisdom and enlighten me that I may become so aware of the inconsistencies in my own life, there will be little time to find fault with anyone else.

“O sir, what a faithful image of Our Lord is participation in the meekness and humility of his heart! How it portrays his manner of acting, especially when firmness accompanies it.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

Lord, in imitation of you, teach me how to be firm, yet gentle and loving when I have to take an unpopular stand I know to be right.

“We must receive with respect whatever God presents to us, and then examine the situation with its circumstances in order to do what is most expedient.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

In resolving situations in my work, Lord, nothing can be accomplished without objectivity and reflection. In those circumstances, quiet my mind and calm my anxiety so I can be a part of the solution and not the problem.

“Let us patiently bear the contradictions and repugnances we encounter in the discharge of duty, since our actions are thereby rendered more agreeable to God.”
– St. Louise de Marillac

Teach me, Lord, the discipline of patience, which I find harder than work. Maybe then, in the quietness of reflection I will begin to understand that you speak to me through the very difficulties I am facing.

“Today’s efforts will make tomorrow’s easier.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

How easy it is for me to put off what is difficult and waste time on non-essentials. Lord, teach me to discipline myself and keep my priorities straight, that your work may be accomplished through me.

“What can shut us out from the love of Him, who will ever dwell within us through love?”
– St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Heavenly Father, soften my heart when anger closes me off from those who have upset me. Help me to overlook and forget these incidents just as you are constantly forgiving me.

“One mistake should not be corrected by another.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

– May I remember this as I go about my work, Lord.

“Sufferings well received will prove our passport to eternity.”
– St. Louise de Marillac

Suffering the pain of misunderstanding is hard to bear. Heal, O Lord, the broken and troubled relationships in my life. Teach me to forgive as you want me to forgive– completely and whole-heartedly being the first to make amends.

“By love, Our Lord won over those he wanted to believe in Him. No matter how much we exert ourselves, people will never have faith in us unless we show charity and compassion to those whom we wish to believe in us.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

Good works, no matter how praiseworthy, will never engender trust. Knowing your unconditional love for me, Lord, makes it possible for me to love others and reveal to them how blessed they are in your sight.

“The greater my unworthiness, the more abundant His mercy.”
– St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Lord, I know you have a special love for the poor and the little in the eyes of the world, so I ask you, today, for the openness and candor of a little child who is totally dependent on your love and mercy. In you I place all my trust.