Prayer for OSF and The Catholic Diocese of Peoria

 June 5, 2006

Prayer for OSF and The Catholic Diocese of Peoria--

You will find that charity
is a heavy burden
to carry, heavier than
a kettle of soup
and a basket of bread.

But you must your gentleness
and your smile keep.

Giving soup and bread isn't all
that the rich can do.

The poor are your masters
terrible sensitive, exacting
as you will see.

Both the uglier and dirtier they are,
the more you must give your love.

It is only because of your love-
only your love-
that the poor will forgive you
the bread that you give them.

St. Vincent de Paul
1581-1660