Applying advice from St. Vincent de Paul's correspondence to some of our everyday life situations as we serve persons living in poverty.

1. Advice from Saint Vincent
in everyday life

2. In dealing with others,
lately I’m often short-
tempered or less than
charitable. I wish I could
be more patient and kind.

3. “Because you've been faithful in small things, I will
place you over many,” God says. So then, let's be
faithful— faithful in the practice of the good works
we've undertaken. And what will come of that? The
result will be that we'll advance in virtue day by day,
like that tiny mustard seed, which, even though very
small, still becomes a large tree in the course of time—
For example, someone practices one degree of an act
of virtue, tomorrow he will practice it to the second,
then the third degree of perfection, and that's how we
grow little by little… with the grace of God, without
which we can do nothing… courage then… courage—
Let's give ourselves sincerely to God, let's work hard
to acquire virtue.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 11 | Page#: 346-9)
Repetition of Prayer, 19 November, 1656
In dealing with others,
lately I’m often short-
tempered or less than
charitable. I wish I could
be more patient and kind.

4. I know I’m supposed to
have humility but I don’t
even want to get involved
unless I can be the person
in charge. I’m just not a
good “follower”.

5. I know I’m supposed to
have humility but I don’t
even want to get involved
unless I can be the person
in charge. I’m just not a
good “follower”.
The man who always prunes his vines is a good wine grower, and we too, will be
good disciples if we constantly mortify our senses, work to subdue our passions, to
submit our judgment, and to control our will… Courage! When God, who is the
master of this vineyard, has removed from our souls whatever is useless and evil,
He'll cause us to live in Our Lord, like branches that bear fruit, in order to bear even
more. We'll have a little difficulty in the beginning, but He'll grant us the grace of
overcoming one thing, then another— today an impulse to anger, tomorrow a
repugnance to obedience. Courage! Pleasure follows pain, and the greater difficulty
the faithful find in self-renunciation, the greater joy they have in mortifying
themselves, and their reward is great in proportion to the work entailed.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 12 | Page#: 185)
Mortification, 2 May, 1659

6. I feel like I waste so much
time on the phone,
checking email and social
media.

7. …spiritual retreat[s] or spiritual
exercises [are] a withdrawal from
all business affairs and temporal
pursuits to apply ourselves
seriously to understanding well
our interior life, examining
carefully the state of our
conscience, meditating,
contemplating, praying, and
preparing our soul in this way so as
to be purified from all our sins and
all our bad attachments and habits
in order to be filled with the desire
for virtue. We should also desire to
seek and know the Will of God,
and, once we know it, to submit to
it, unite ourselves to it, and, in this
way, to strive for, advance toward,
and finally attain our own
perfection.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 13a | Page#: 161)
Reflections on a Spiritual Retreat
I feel like I waste so much
time on the phone,
checking email and social
media.

8. I used to enjoy my ministry
but lately this one person
is really getting on my
nerves.

9. I used to enjoy my ministry
but lately this one person
is really getting on my
nerves.
[We must] bear one
another's weaknesses. Whom
can we call perfect? No one
on this earth, but whom can
we not call imperfect? Since
everyone has faults, then
who doesn't need
forbearance? Anyone who
strives to know himself well
will see many weaknesses
and failings in himself, and
will even acknowledge that
he can't help having them, or,
consequently, trying the
patience of others; just let
him examine himself in body
and mind.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 12 | Page#: 219)
Charity (Common Rules, Chap. II, Art. 12), 30
May, 1659

10. My Vincentian group wants
me to take a leadership
role but I don’t feel
qualified.

11. My Vincentian group wants
me to take a leadership
role but I don’t feel
qualified.
The sight of your faults and
inability should serve to make
you humble yourself, as you are
doing, and not to discourage you
from what Our Lord wants to be
done. He has enough virtue and
competence for both of you.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 7 | Page#: 140)
To Francois Dupuich, Superior, in Troyes,
10 April, 1658

12. My Vincentian group wants
me to take a leadership
role but I don’t feel
qualified.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 7 | Page#: 140)
To Francois Dupuice, Superior, in Troyes,
10 April, 1658
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 7 | Page#: 197)
To Antoine Durand, 21 June, 1658
…we have to quicken our pace
and redouble our ordinary
exercises on certain occasions
when the service of God
requires it, and then God does
not fail to redouble our courage
and strength as well.
The sight of your faults and
inability should serve to make
you humble yourself, as you are
doing, and not to discourage you
from what Our Lord wants to be
done. He has enough virtue and
competence for both of you.

13. I was a member of a Vincentian
committee. The members had lots
of good ideas but never took any
action on them. As an action-
oriented person, this bothered me.

14. I was a member of a Vincentian
committee. The members had lots
of good ideas but never took any
action on them. As an action-
oriented person, this bothered me.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 11 | Page#: 32-3)
Love of God
And this is what we ought to be on the
look-out for; for there are many who, if
they have a recollected exterior, and an
interior filled with lofty feelings about
God, rest there; but when it comes to
deeds, and there is need for action, they
stop short. They flatter themselves by the
warmth of their imagination; they rest
content with the sweet discourses they
have with God in prayer; they even speak
of him like angels; but apart from this,
should there be question of working for
God, of suffering, of self-mortification, of
instructing the poor, of going out to seek
the lost sheep, of loving to be in want, of
accepting illness or disgrace, alas! they
are no longer to be found; their courage
fails them. No, no let's not fool ourselves:
[Action is our entire task].

15. Our dream is to set up a drop-in center
where people who are living on the
streets can come in to receive services
such as a hot meal, showers and laundry
facilities. After 3 years we were unable to
raise the necessary funds. Also it’s been
very hard to find a suitable building.

16. Our dream is to set up a drop-in center
where people who are living on the
streets can come in to receive services
such as a hot meal, showers and laundry
facilities. After 3 years we were unable to
raise the necessary funds. Also it’s been
very hard to find a suitable building.
God, for very good reasons, sometimes conceals from His servants the results of
their labors, but He does not fail to give very great ones. A plowman has to wait a
long time before seeing the fruits of his plowing, and sometimes he does not see
the abundant harvest his sowing has produced.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 5 | Page#: 463)
To a Priest of the Mission

17. Our dream is to set up a drop-in center
where people who are living on the
streets can come in to receive services
such as a hot meal, showers and laundry
facilities. After 3 years we were unable to
raise the necessary funds. Also it’s been
very hard to find a suitable building.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 3 | Page#: 44) To
Jean Bourdet, Superior, in Saint-Meen, 1
September, 1646
God, for very good reasons, sometimes conceals from His servants the results of
their labors, but He does not fail to give very great ones. A plowman has to wait a
long time before seeing the fruits of his plowing, and sometimes he does not see
the abundant harvest his sowing has produced.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 5 | Page#: 463)
To a Priest of the Mission
Well! bon Dieu! what better opportunity awaits you to suffer something for God? I
certainly see none. In the name of God… let us not be so little attached to God's
service that we yield to a useless fear which may cause us to abandon the task He
has given us.

18. We had an idea for a service
project and wanted to get the
parishioners involved but our
pastor won’t permit it. I feel like
giving up.

19. We had an idea for a service
project and wanted to get the
parishioners involved but our
pastor won’t permit it. I feel like
giving up.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 6 | Page#: 144)
To Brother Pierre Leclerc, 12 November,
1656
God is always the same and deserves to be served now as
formerly, and you should be no more discouraged with
suffering some aversion than travelers are with difficulties
or sailors with storms. Each strives calmly to weather
them so as to arrive at the place he plans to reach.

20. In our Vincentian ministry it
seems like we’re continually
starting over with new members,
instead of going deeper with the
ones we have.

21. In our Vincentian ministry it
seems like we’re continually
starting over with new members,
instead of going deeper with the
ones we have.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 8 | Page#: 113)
To Antoine Durand, 29 August, 1659
I sympathize with you in your troubles.
You must not be surprised at difficulties
and, still less, allow yourself to be
discouraged by them; they are to be
encountered everywhere, especially in
a duty such as yours.

22. Lately I don’t feel like
praying. I am bored with
everything. I want to have
more zeal like I used to.

23. Vincent de Paul (Volume: 5 | Page#: 631) To a
Student of the Mission (in Genoa), 16 June, 1656
I sympathize deeply with you in the spiritual trials you are
suffering. Nothing so sorely afflicts a soul that loves God, or
discourages it more in its early resolutions, or exposes it so
much to temptations than the lukewarmness you feel for divine
things and your distaste for prayer, spiritual reading, etc. That is
why, dear Brother, you should pray fervently that God will
remove them far from you or give you the grace to make good
use of them. His Goodness will doubtless do one or the other if,
despite this dryness, you are faithful to your spiritual exercises.
Furthermore, do not be surprised at seeing yourself in this
state; you have it in common with many saints who have
endured it. I hope it will soon change to fervor and
cheerfulness, especially since man is never in the same state.
Lately I don’t feel like
praying. I am bored with
everything. I want to have
more zeal like I used to.

24. After so many home visits, I feel
myself becoming a little insensitive or
I have trouble showing sympathy.

25. After so many home visits, I feel
myself becoming a little insensitive or
I have trouble showing sympathy.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 5 | Page#: 615) To
Sister Françoise Menage, 17 May, 1656
...sometimes our spirit changes, causing us
from time to time to experience
repugnance, temptations, boredom,
aversions, sadness, and other interior
trials. In addition, God allows the best
souls to be tried, both to test them and to
give them reason for merit. That is why we
must prepare for this so that these
troublesome states may not surprise and
discourage us, when we experience them.

26. I’m a perfectionist, and with so much going on, so many
people in need of help, I’m starting to get frustrated about
missing paperwork, and other people who don’t pay
attention to details. Also we are in the midst of renovating
our office. I like it better when everything is more orderly.

27. I’m a perfectionist, and with so much going on, so many
people in need of help, I’m starting to get frustrated about
missing paperwork, and other people who don’t pay
attention to details. Also we are in the midst of renovating
our office. I like it better when everything is more orderly.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 3 | Page#: 259) To
Antoine Portail, 20 December, 1647
It is difficult to master
one's feelings and be
exact in everything in the
midst of many affairs.

28. I’m a perfectionist, and with so much going on, so many
people in need of help, I’m starting to get frustrated at
missing paperwork, and other people not paying
attention to details. Also we are in the midst of renovating
our office. I like it better when everything is more orderly.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 3 | Page#: 259) To
Antoine Portail, 20 December, 1647
It is difficult to master
one's feelings and be
exact in everything in the
midst of many affairs.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 12 | Page#: 112)
Seeking the Kingdom of God, 21 February, 1659
We have Our Lord's
promise that He'll take
care of all our needs;
without our worrying
about them; still, we have
to be prepared in
temporal affairs and tend
to them in the way God
desires, but not make
them our main concern.

29. I just relocated. I joined the
Vincentian Conference at
my new parish but they do
things differently. I don’t
know where I fit in. I don’t
know what God wants me
to do right now.

30. Vincent de Paul (Volume: 5 | Page#: 528) To a
Priest of the Mission
You know that, among the workers mentioned in the Gospel,
some were called late and yet were rewarded in the evening
like those who had worked since morning [cf Mt 20:1-17]. So
you will merit just as much by patiently awaiting the Master's
Will as by doing it when it is made known to you, since you
are ready for anything— ready to leave, ready to remain.
I just relocated. I joined the
Vincentian Conference at
my new parish but they do
things differently. I don’t
know where I fit in. I don’t
know what God wants me
to do right now.

31. I’m having trouble
getting along with
another Vincentian
who is rude to me and
has a negative attitude.

32. I’m having trouble
getting along with
another Vincentian
who is rude to me and
has a negative attitude.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 5 | Page#: 605) To
Louis Dupont, 3 May, 1656
...of all the means to change
his heart and actions for the
better, there is none better
than to treat him with
gentleness, forbearance, and
patience, as far as our little
Rule may allow, even in his
disordered life. I ask you to
do so, while waiting for God
to apply another remedy.

33. I’m too busy to pray.

34. I’m too busy to pray.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 12 | Page#: 111)
Seeking The Kingdom Of God (Common Rules,
Chap. II, Art. 2) February 21, 1659
After that word 'seek' comes 'first,' that is,
seek the kingdom of God before all else.
'But, Monsieur, there are so many things to
do, so many house duties, so many
ministries in town and country; there's work
everywhere; must we, then, leave all that to
think only of God?' No, but we have to
sanctify those activities by seeking God in
them, and do them in order to find Him in
them rather than to see that they get done.

35. With all the recent tragedies,
disasters, the pandemic… at
times our little Conference
is feeling overwhelmed,
helpless, useless.

36. With all the recent tragedies,
disasters, the pandemic… at
times our little Conference
is feeling overwhelmed,
helpless, useless.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 4 | Page#: 387) To
Achille Le Vazeux (in Rome), June 1652
Let's be courageous! Let’s
go wherever God may call
us. He will be our provider,
let’s not fear anything.
Vincent de Paul (Volume: 11 | Page#: 265)
Repetition of Prayer, 22 August, 1655
…even if the whole world
should rise up to destroy
us, nothing will happen
except what God, in whom
we have put our hope, will
allow.

37. presentation by
Source of quotes:
Saint Vincent de Paul / Correspondence, Conferences, Documents,;
Brooklyn, NY: New City, 1999; Pierre Coste, Editor.