In her retreat of 1843, Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt wrote in her notes, Only then will my love of neighbor be genuine if it flows from the wellspring of the love of God. If I love people because of their talents, their kindness, then this love does not deserve the name of Christian charity.
Thumbing through a booklet of her prayers and thoughts, I found a prayer Blessed Pauline wrote in 1854 that gives inspiration,
O dearest God, help me to become ever more closely and more intimately united with you, thereby growing in genuine love of neighbor. Grant me a heart full of love and help that love to impress itself on every aspect of my behavior. Amen.
Bless the Sisters of Christian Charity and give us the grace of love of neighbor, dear Blessed Pauline.
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