The suffering of so many of our sisters and brothers who seek a life of freedom from poverty, war, violence and slavery of any kind is overwhelming. In the face of this we are called to live the charism of charity more openly and urgently than ever. One of the most compelling crises today is that of the refugees in Syria. We want to think that there has never been a time in history like this, and perhaps that is true. But Louise lived through similar circumstances and the Charity of Christ impelled her to action she never could have imagined. Our challenge is to listen to how Louise speaks to us in our world today and to respond as she did. As we pray today on her feast day, we ask her to remind us of the call of our charism and of the call of the oppressed in the war-torn countries of the world and in our little corners of the world and to help us to allow the Charity of Christ to impel us!

Pray with Us: Loving and compassionate God, we celebrate with great joy the faith and works of St. Louise de Marillac. Instill in us the fire of her love, the tenacity of her belief, and the tenderness of her care for the most abandoned. Draw us together into the light of your presence and help us to trust in the power of your Spirit, leading us ever closer to you.

O God, through Louise, you taught us a deeper love and respect for those whom the world oppresses and so we pray: -help us to serve them with respect and dignity.
Christ Jesus, you inspired the daughters of Louise to be women of compassion and empathy in their service to the poor;
-help us to grow in mercy and understanding.
Loving Creator, we thank you for the example of untiring collaboration of Louise in giving flesh to the works of charity we aspire to emulate today;
-may we follow her example in our service to the Church and the world.
Louise transformed adversity into positive energy for the service of the poor.
-help us to see with the eyes of faith and the mind of Jesus.
Loving God, through the intercession of Louise, inspire more laborers to come to the vineyard to mirror the gospel values of justice and love that Louise mirrored in her life;
-may our lives and our service give you glory and praise.

May the God of Louise de Marillac be with us more and more each day, drawing us into ever deep union with the Holy One, quickening our hearts’ desire for love and sharpening our awareness of all that the world suffers. As the Charity of Christ impelled her, may we be moved with urgency to be women of the charism— witness and vision, justice and truth, passion and peace. May our response to the challenges our God and our world place before us reflect Louise’s vision of loving service and may the Charity of Christ impel us. May the blessing of Louise be upon us! Amen.

Adapted from the Federation Feast Day Prayer written by Sister Esther Plefka, SC-Halifax.