Holy Impatience
[Besides doing] whatever is suitable to my state of life … it seems that God, as an example of his infinite mercy towards me, … has additionally given me a holy impatience to do even greater things … although I know myself most inadequate to do them. (OOCC, X, p. 111; STA, 170)
St. Vincent Pallotti believed and lived his life based on the conviction that true Christian perfection consists in performing ordinary acts of everyday life in an extraordinary manner. But, he also recognized the fact that God, in his mercy, can call a person to do outstanding and wonderful works on his behalf and for the good of the Church. Among the many gifts God bestowed upon St. Vincent Pallotti, there was the special gift of the holy impatience to do greater things for God. Holy impatience consists of having within oneself an earnest desire, a resolute determination, and a greater urgency to accomplish great things for the glory of God and the good of others. St. Vincent Pallotti was an enthusiastic person and he communicated this enthusiasm to others as well. With this holy impatience, St. Vincent proceeded to remove all forms of poverty from the human person, and made him re-experience his true nature in the image of God. He wanted to make every person in this world a part of one fold, under one Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Impelled by this holy impatience, and motivated by the desire to accomplish these goals in the shortest time possible, St. Vincent founded the Union of Catholic Apostolate. In this manner, St. Vincent Pallotti was filled with zeal for God, the establishment of his kingdom, and the happiness of the human persons.
Am I satisfied with doing merely what I am expected to do in life? Do I have the earnest desire, resolute determination and greater urgency to accomplish great things for the glory of God and good of others? How can I express my zeal for God by doing great things for him in the context of my life today?
My zeal for God and his work burns hot within me. And because I advocate your cause, your enemies insult me even as they insult you. (Ps. 69: 9)