January 4

As the first “work week” of the new year begins, we pray today for work-related happiness, success, productivity, ethics, and hope. We further pray that our places of work are honest, contribute to greater society, and provide assistance or service to those in need.  Lastly, we pray for those without jobs at this time.

Today is the feast day of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, an American woman who experienced must loss and tragedy before becoming an early pillar of the American Catholic Church. Following a trip to Italy, she converted to Catholicism, finding herself renounced by friends and family upon her return to America. Among her many accomplishments, Mother Seton founded the first American parish school, first Catholic orphanage in America, and the first American religious community for women—the Sisters of Charity.

Saint Elizabeth Seton reported that three beliefs led to her conversion: belief in the Real Presence of the Lord, devotion to Mary, the Blessed Mother, and the unshakable conviction that the Catholic Church led back to Christ. She had two great devotions: abandonment to the will of God and love for the Blessed Sacrament. She told her sisters, “The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner He wills it; and thirdly, to do it because it is His will.”

Today we pray to be more like Saint Elizabeth Seton, abandoning ourselves to the will of God whilst not abandoning those around us in need.


Day 4 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Those at work; Those without jobs; Charity towards others