Ô Saint Vincent de Paul, humble servant of God and apostle of charity, on this blessed day I come before you with a heart full of gratitude and devotion. You who dedicated your life to the poor, the sick, the orphans and the oppressed, I invoke you with confidence and hope, certain that you will continue to intercede for all those who seek your protection and help.
Saint Vincent, you saw in every human being the image of the suffering Christ, and you responded to God's call by becoming an instrument of His mercy. Inspire me to follow your example, to have a heart sensitive to the suffering of others, and to offer, in turn, my help with generosity, humility and love. May I always see Jesus in the faces of the poor, the marginalised and the forgotten.
You who travelled the roads of France, bringing the Gospel of love and compassion to all those you met, help me to be a missionary in my own daily life. Give me the strength to reach out to those in need, even when it requires personal sacrifice. Help me to be a humble and selfless servant, in the image of Christ.
Saint Vincent de Paul, you who founded the Congregation of the Mission to evangelise the poorest and train priests dedicated to this task, I ask you to intercede for the Church today. Send new labourers into the Lord's harvest, men and women who, following your example, will dedicate their lives to God and to others. Pray that priests, religious and lay people may find in your example the inspiration to live fully their vocation in the service of the least of these.
I entrust to you, Saint Vincent, my particular intentions (here, mention personal intentions). May you present them to the Lord, who has always had unshakeable confidence in His Providence. Help me to leave my worries in His hands and to have faith that, in His infinite love, He cares for each one of us with a Father's tenderness.
You who founded the Daughters of Charity with Saint Louise de Marillac, in order to care for the poor, the sick and abandoned children, inspire me to serve with the same ardour. May I know how to make myself available to the needs of others, and may my heart always be open to misery, ready to respond with charity and mercy.
Saint Vincent, model of patience and gentleness, teach me not to be discouraged in the face of life's difficulties and trials. You who have gone through many adversities without ever losing faith in God's goodness, help me to remain confident in times of doubt and suffering. May I remain firm in my faith and faithful to my commitments, despite the obstacles I encounter along the way.
O Saint Vincent de Paul, patron saint of works of charity, grant me the grace to live a life centred on the love of God and neighbour. May my actions, my words and my thoughts always be imbued with charity, and may I, like you, be a light in the lives of others, helping them to find peace and comfort in the Lord.
In this hour, I also ask you to watch over all those who dedicate themselves today to the work of charity throughout the world. Support them in their difficult but essential mission. Give them the fortitude to continue to help those who suffer and to fight against injustice. Help them to persevere despite the challenges and to bring a little of God's love to places where misery reigns.
Saint Vincent de Paul, I entrust to you all those who are suffering: those who have no home, those who are hungry, those who are alone, and all those who are deprived of dignity and hope. Through your intercession, may they find comfort, support and help. May their distress be transformed into hope, and may they meet on their path charitable souls ready to help them, to listen to them and to support them.
Finally, Saint Vincent, in this prayer, I ask you to pray for me, that I may become a better instrument of divine mercy in the world. May my actions reflect the love and compassion of Christ, and may I live each day following in your footsteps, serving God through service to others.
Oh good Saint Vincent de Paul, humble servant of the poor and destitute, grant us the grace to walk the path of charity, justice and peace, until the day when, through God's mercy, we will be united with you in blessed eternity.
Amen.
