“Shepherd” is an image that often recurs in Scripture.
It is a common metaphor for the kings and leaders of Israel after David; kings were regarded as shepherds of the people.
The prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah rebuked the kings of Israel for being bad shepherds and announced that God himself would provide a shepherd. Jesus is this Good Shepherd. Shepherd is also an image applied to priests in the Church as sharers in the work of Jesus. In fact, St. John Paul II began his letter on priestly formation with God’s promise, “I will give you shepherds after my own heart,” (Jeremiah 3:15). Jesus chooses coworkers to lead his people as servants like him. He chooses men who are fully human, subject to weaknesses and failings and refusal of his call, and that is why we pray for vocations to priesthood. We pray for families to encourage vocations to priesthood in a society that does not value religion; we pray for men to answer God’s call in a culture where careers seem more attractive than humble service; we pray for holy priests fully dedicated to God and persevering in their call to holiness.
Prayer for Vocations to the Oblates of the Virgin Mary:
Loving Father, as Jesus begged the harvest master to send laborers into his vineyard, so we now ask you to bless the Oblates of the Virgin Mary with numerous vocations. May your Spirit draw men of integrity to love you intensely and serve you courageously in poverty, chastity, and obedience. Reveal your mercy to them and remove the distractions and fears that keep them from echoing Mary’s joyful “yes.” Guide them in discerning the mission for which you created them, so that they will become wise and gentle shepherds of souls. We ask this through the intercession of Fr. Bruno Lanteri and in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
Fr. Bruno Lanteri, pray for your sons, the Oblates of the Virgin Mary.
You may remember Br. Jorge who served us at San Pedro last summer. Now deacon Jorge, he will be ordained a priest next weekend!
With great joy, the Oblates of the Virgin Mary announce the ordination to the priesthood of Deacon Jorge Sanchez, OMV and Deacon Jonathon Hank, OMV at St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, CA on Saturday, July 27, 2024. We invite you to join this joyous occasion by tuning into the live stream on Facebook.com/spcomv at 11 AM pacific (2 PM eastern).
