Good Shepherd
by VP
Posted on Sunday April 23, 2023 at 11:30AM in Prayers
Divine Savior Jesus Christ, Thou are the Good Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep.
Oh, be in a very special way the Good Shepherd of those poor lost priests who are also appointed by Thee to be leaders of Thy people, but who have broken the oath of their holy ordination and have become unfaithful to their exalted calling. Bestow upon these poorest of the poor the very fullness of that pastoral solicitude with which Thou dost so faithfully seek the sheep that are lost! Touch their hearts with the irresistible ray of grace which emanates from Thine all-merciful love! Enlighten their minds and strengthen their wills, that they may turn away from all sin and error and come back to Thy holy altar and to Thy people.
O most compassionate Savior! Remember that
Thou didst once redeem the souls of Thine erring priests with Thy
Precious Blood and in infinite preferential love didst impress upon them
the indelible character of the priesthood. Put wholly to shame those
miserable helpers of Satan who lay snares for the virtue of priests and
endanger the holy ideal of the priesthood. Most graciously accept our
prayers and sacrifices for poor priests who have gone astray and hear
our earnest petition. Amen
St. Anthony of Padua, defender of the Holy Eucharist, obtain for us holy priests.
St. John-Mary Vianney, model of sacerdotal holiness, obtain for us holy priests.
St. Francis Xavier, patron of missionary priests, obtain for us holy priests.
St.
Therese of the Child-Jesus and of the Holy Face, victim offered for the
sanctification of priests, obtain for us holy priests.
Saints and Servants of God, obtain for us holy priests.
Imprimatur - Bishop John F. Null (April 18, 1948)