“God made the interests of the afflicted his own.” (SW 668)
– St. Louise de Marillac

– In union with you, Lord, I will take the core value of “advocacy for the poor” seriously and make the interests of the poor a real priority.

“You must expect everything from his infinite goodness.” (CCD 11:64)
– St. Vincent de Paul

– Lord, you have told us to “ask and you shall receive.” I ask you now for all those graces of which I stand so much in need. You are my strength in weakness and I rely on you.

“The poor cannot be judged by their outward appearance, not by their show of wit, for very often they do not look nor seem like intelligent beings, so rough, and homely are they.” (CCD 11:26)
– St. Vincent de Paul

– O God, teach me to look beyond external appearances and find you in those who call on me for help.

“Seek God in all things. In all your actions submit your motives to this unerring test: will this be approved by his all-seeing eye?” (CW 2:710)
– St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

– Even when I think my motives are the purest, I can still find a lot of self gratification in things I do. Lord, today I will make an effort to consult you when I have important decisions to make.

“God does not ask you to go beyond the means he has given you.” (CCD 7:523)
– St. Vincent de Paul

– O God, assist me today to use well the resources you give me for service to your poor ones.

“If we wish to give satisfaction to our good God, we must not stop to consider what we would like to do, but rather what he wishes us to do. Our Lord will know where to find you when he intends to give you other work to do.” (SW 604-605)
– St. Louise de Marillac

– Lord, why is it I am sometimes dissatisfied with what I am doing and tempted to look for “greener pastures” elsewhere? Help me to prayerfully discern Your will for me and then be content in following it.

“Our Lord will counsel you what to do.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

– Where would I be, Lord, without your presence within me? You are always there, ready to counsel and guide me. All I have to do is ask!

“Our love of God is always opposed by our self-love, our love of one another by the miserable pride and pretension which creates jealousy, rash judgment and the pitiful dislikes and impatience which so often trouble us and wound charity.” (CW 3a:259)
– St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

– Expand my heart, Lord, that pettiness may have no place in my life nor cause the loss of charity among my family and community.

“While we dilly-dally with our plans, God raises up others to do what he had first asked of us.” (CCD 2:350)
– St. Vincent de Paul

– Sometimes, Lord, I am so prone to procrastinate, especially over unpleasant issues. Give me the courage to act today in one of those matters in my life.

“Have patience, and have it in Our Lord who is pleased to try you.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

– Lord, when I am tempted to be impatient with others or myself, fill me with the gentleness and compassion you always showed to those in need.