April 29, this year's fourth Sunday of Easter, is Good Shepherd Sunday. The Catholic Church also marks this day as World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
For the Good Shepherd Sisters worldwide today is observed as titular feast.
Photo: Statue of the Good Shepherd in Quezon City.
St. Mary Euphrasia who as superior of Tours was invited by Father Breton, parish priest in Angers, to begin a foundation, started in 1829 the renovation of the dilapidated building, House of the Good Shepherd that was closed during the revolution. The renovation pushed through because of the generosity of the laity and dthe legacy left by Madame de Neuville that was entrusted tot he Bishop of Angers.
Five years after the opening of the HOuse and the development that followed, the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd was born in 1835.
Now present in 73 countries, the Good Shepherd Sisters continue its mission of reconcialiation to families, especially women and children.
Sisters live out through the various ministries what Jesus, the Good Shepherd promised, " I have come that tyou may have life and have it to the full."
Prayer for Vocations Below is the prayer written by (Blessed) Pope John Paul II |
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O, Jesus, our Good Shepherd, bless all our parishes iwth numerous priests, deacons, men and women in religious life, consecrated laity and missionaries, according to the needs of the entire world, which You love and wish to save.z We especially entrust our community to yu; grant us the spirit of the first Christians, so that we may be a cenacle of prayer, in loving acceptance of te Holy Spirit and his gifts. Assist our pastors, and all who live a consecrated life. Guide the steps of those who have responded generously to your call and are preparing to receive holy orders or to profess the evangelical counsels. Look with love on so many well-disposed young people and call them to follow you. Help them to understand that in you alone can they attain complete fulfillment. To this end we call on the powerful intercession of Mary, Mother and Model of all ovcations. We beseech you to sustain our faith with the certainty that the Father will grant what you have commanded us to ask. Amen. |
| The Good Shepherd Conferences, Chapter 6 |
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"I am the Good Shepherd; I give my life for my sheep." During this week, we shall reflect together only on the Good Shepherd. This subject will provide us with ample matter for thought, for Jesus the Good Shepherd is the true model whom we must try to imitate in order to measure up to the holiness of our vocation. He is the divine original we must endeavour to reproduce in our conduct. Because he stooped to make us partners in his work and has put us, so to speak, in his place in the sheepfold where he has gathered in so many unfortunate sheep, we must, on our prart, be filled with the spirit of our adorable Master and live with his very life. My dear daughers, you do no good nor have the spirit of our vocation until you have the thoughts and affection of the Good shepherd, of whom you must be the living images in the midst of our dear flocks. ... go on taking care of our Divine Shepherd's sheep and lambs with zeal and love and try to have him faithfully served by others. Be sure that in acting thus, He will never allow you to want for food. As our Father, he will see to all your needs. |