“Like Saint Teresa, with five pennies and God, I can accomplish many great things.”
St. Frances Cabrini
For Reflection:
Sometimes I feel like I can accomplish nothing. Yet, St. Frances Cabrini says with God and five pennies much can be accomplished. What “five pennies” do I have that can accomplish much when given to God? (Hint: Consider your natural gifts and talents, pernsonality characteristics and attributes, virtues and strengths.) How can I implement at least one of them today?

“What are our real trials? By what name shall we call them? One cuts herself out a cross of pride; another, on of causeless discontent; another, one of restless impatience or peevish fretfulness. Yet we know certainly that our God calls us to a holy life, that he gives us every grace, every abundant grace; and though we are weak of ourselves, this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty.”
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
For Reflection:
Have I cut out a cross for myself – one that I have fashioned rather than the Lord? Could this be why this cross is so heavy? Today, I will lay down before our Lord this cross of my own fashioning, knowing and trusting that He is giving me the grace to carry the cross He has placed upon my shoulder.

“The sweet fragrance of Christ noticed among men [is] not in a sudden burst of flame, but in the constant red- hot embers of virtues such as justice, loyalty, faithfulness, understanding, and cheerfulness.”
St. Josemaria Escriva
For Reflection:
What is St. Josemaria communicating about an authentic witness to Christ in this quotation? Of the virtues listed above, which are “red-hot” in me? Which are growing cold and in what specific way today can I heat them up?