“We must go to God straight as an arrow.” (CCD 11:43)
– St. Vincent de Paul

– Lord, it has been said that a prayer to you pierces the heavens. All the aspects of my life, no matter how small or insignificant, are a concern to you. How grateful I am for all of this love.

“Try to serve Jesus and make resolutions to do your best. Try, when you think anything will make you angry, to reflect: Is this preparing me to receive my Jesus?” (CW 2:741)
– St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

– When I am tempted to speak in anger, Lord inspire me to think of the consequences because breaking with charity is no small thing. If I should fail to do this, let me be the first to ask forgiveness.

“Let us depend entirely on God, full of confidence that no matter what men may do or say, all will turn to our good. Yes, should the whole world unite for our destruction, nothing can happen to us but by the permission of God, in whom we have placed our whole trust.” (CCD 4:387)
– St. Vincent de Paul

– Lord, it is being brought home to me that even when my best intentions and motives are criticized, I must be open to accept whatever truth there may be in those words and then trust the rest to you.

“Kindness is the key to hearts.” (CCD 9:207)
– St. Vincent de Paul

– Oh God, be present in all the relationships and interactions of my day. Above all, help me to be gentle in dealing with others.

“We should strive to model our actions on those of the Blessed Virgin, for the greatest honor we can offer her is to imitate her virtues.” (SW:785)
– St. Louise de Marillac

– Blessed Mother, I rededicate myself to you today, asking that you keep me from all harm. Obtain all the graces I need to lead a holy life totally committed to Jesus your son.

“Bitterness never serves any purpose than to embitter.” (CCD 1:526)
– St. Vincent de Paul

– Remove from my heart, O Lord, all traces of hatred and resentment when wrongfully treated, remembering that they serve no purpose but to harm me and displease you.

“Clothe yourselves with the dispositions which animated your Master. When he approached a sick person, it was always in the name of the Father, and by the virtue of the Holy Spirit: thus, you should always bring with you the goodness and tenderness, the love and mercy of the Father and in your speech and actions remain dependent on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

– Lord, keep me from acting from purely human motives, remembering that whenever I see a poor person, I see you, or if I give to the poor, it is you, Jesus, who receives the gift.

“Never be hurried by anything whatsoever, and nothing can be more pressing than the necessity for your peace before God— commit everything to him that passes thro’ your hands; you will help others more by the peace and tranquility of your heart than by any eagerness or care you can bestow on them.” (CW 3b:84)
– St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

– Peace and tranquility are infectious. I know it is possible to experience this state of heart even when the outcome of a situation has been bleak. Committing all to you ahead of time can make that possible, Lord.

“I have always shunned performing good deeds in one place to gain credit in another.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

– Heavenly Lord, preserve me from that way of the world which is always seeking its own gain for actions performed for others.

“Remember, roses cannot be gathered except amid thorns.” (CCD 2:22)
– St. Vincent de Paul

– Lord, it has been said that we appreciate most those things for which we work the hardest. May no fear of obstacles deter me from doing your will today.