Praying for Our Shepherds Amidst COVID-19

Craig Fernandes, a former seminarian at St. Augustine’s Seminary, is now an engineering Master’s student at the University of Toronto.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.”

These are the beautiful opening verses of Psalm 23, which describes God as a shepherd caring for His people. One attribute of shepherds that is especially beautiful is how hard they labour for the good of those in their fold. They journey with their flock, seek out the lost sheep and defend them from any ravaging predators. It is no accident that the word “pastor” means “shepherd,” as priests are truly called to shepherd their people.

On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, let us reflect in gratitude for those who God has called to the priesthood. Every day, our priests seek to care for our spiritual well-being through the gift of their time and talents. They carry us in their prayers and sustain us with the sacraments as we journey heavenward.

In these difficult times, when we may not be able to physically see our priests, let us remember that they are continually praying and offering the Mass for us and our intentions. Many of them have adopted creative ways of continuing to serve their people by reaching out through new means.

Let us show our appreciation by remembering them in our own prayers. Let us also pray more fervently for an increase in the number of vocations, because despite these challenging circumstances, God never tires of calling people to serve Him.

Summary

On this Good Shepherd Sunday and World Day of Prayer for Vocations, let us reflect on the significance behind the word “pastor,” which means “shepherd.” Priests are called to shepherd their people, carrying them in their prayers and sustaining them with the sacraments, as they journey heavenward. In these unusual times, many priests have adopted creative ways of continuing to serve their people by reaching out through new means. Let us show our appreciation by remembering them in our own prayers while we also pray for an increase in the number of vocations in our archdiocese and the entire Church.

Readings

• First Reading: Acts 2.14a, 36b-41
• Second Reading: 1 Peter 2.20b-25
• Gospel: John 10.1-10 – Jesus the Good Shepherd