R We pray to you, Saint Vincent and Saint Louise, that you will intercede for us with the Lord our God, so that we may continue the work that you started in the 17th Century, to help the poor.
Reflections :
« You should be very grateful for the graces god has given you by placing you in a position to render him such great service» *
R Lord God, we want to thank You especially for the gift of life, the gift of faith and also the fact that you have chosen us to serve you in the person of the poor, those favoured by Your son Jesus Christ, following the example of St Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac, our founders.
« DO NOT BE FEARFUL … » *
R Lord Jesus , in various texts in Your Gospel, we read that you said to your disciples « DO NOT BE AFRAID », « DO NOT BE FEARFUL ». We ask you to imprint these words on our hearts, these words that Louise de Marillac also said, so that they may encourage us to be a transforming force in our Association, in the face of poverty and society, and in our fight to get rid of the injustice which leads to poverty, exclusion and discrimination, so that our Association may continue to grow in our world.
« The Ladies of Charity recognised the needs of the poor and god gave them the grace to assist them so charitably and so magnificently. Their holy assemblies were the means that these charitable ladies used for their distribution plan, providing faithful and charitable subjects to recognise true needs and to provide for them prudently, not only corporally but also spiritually » *
R Give us, Lord Jesus , Your Holy Spirit so that we may discover the true needs of the poor.
We know that the greatest poverty is, without any doubt, not to know You.
R May we learn, through Your witness, how to make You known to those who have not heard of You.
Grant, Lord, that we may be a hope for the poor.
R May we bring them the good news of your great love for all humanity. May we know how to awaken in them the realisation of their own dignity as humans and sons and daughters of God and may we help them to improve their living conditions.
We ask You, Lord Jesus, to fill us with Your light and Your strength.
R May we be able to draw up Systemic Change plans which are truly transforming, so that the lives of our poor brothers and sisters change completely.
« Let us live, therefore, solely for Jesus Christ. Let there be no resistance to Jesus and no action except for Jesus . Let all our thoughts reflect Jesus Christ. May my life be solely for Jesus and for my neighbour so that, through this unifying love, I may love all that Jesus loves » *
To live solely for You, Lord, we need to be in constant communication with You, just as You lived in constant communication with Your heavenly Father, always praying.
R Help us, Lord, to be women of prayer and to be able to do everything.
Let us not put up any resistance to what You, Lord, ask of each one of us.
R Use us, Lord.
Lord Jesus , guide all our actions.
R We have placed all our confidence in You.
May the lives of AIC Volunteers be devoted to Your love, Lord, and to the love of our neighbour.
R May Your commandment to love be a reality in the world.
Following the example of Saint Louise and Saint Vincent, may we love everything that Jesus loves.
R We are here, Lord, to do Your Will. Show us Your way; may we remain confident in Your word, in Your strength and in Your love.
AMEN.
(* The quotations are from the Writings of St Louise de Marillac.)
