A Novena to the Good Shepherd

 In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

 

~All Respond~

AMEN

 

Blessed be the Good Shepherd.

WHO LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.

 

HYMN

Christ be with me,

Christ within me,

Christ behind me,

Christ before me,

Christ beside me,

Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ in quiet,

Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

 

PSALM 23

SHEPHERD AND HOST

ANTIPHON

 

~All Together~

WHEN THE CHEIF SHEPHARD APPEARS,

YOU WILL RECEIVE THE GLORIOUS CROWN.

 

LORD, you are my shepherd;

nothing I shall want.

Fresh and green are the pastures

where you give me repose.

Near restful waters you lead me

to revive my drooping spirit.

 

You guide me along the right path;

you are true to your name.

If I should walk in the valley of darkness

no evil would I fear.

You are there with your crook and your staff;

with these you give me comfort.

 

You have prepared a banquet for me

in the sight of my foes.

My head you have anointed with oil;

my cup is overflowing.

 

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me

all the days of my life.

In the LORD’S own house shall I dwell

for ever and ever.

 

~ALL~

WHEN THE CHIEF SHEPHERD APPEARS,

 

PSALM PRAYER

Let us pray

(pause for quiet prayer)

Good Shepherd of the flock, you tend and feed and protect your chosen people and only ask us to put our trust in your loving care.  As host you entertain us at your welcome table and anoint us with your Holy Spirit.  Make us ever thankful for all your blessings, O Savior of the world, living and reigning with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever

~ALL RESPOND~

AMEN

 

READING

JOHN 10:11-15

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

 

I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die

for the sheep. When the hired man, who is not

a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a

wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and scatters them.

The hired man runs away because he is only a

hired man and does not care about the sheep. I

am the good shepherd. As the Father know me

and I know the Father, in the same way I know my

sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die

 

SILENCE

 

RESPONSE

No one takes my life away from me.

I GIVE IT UP OUT OF MY OWN FREE WILL.

 

LITANY OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Most High God, Shepherd of Israel:

HEAR US AND HELP US, WE HUMBLY PRAY.

Good Shepherd, who was willing to die for the sheep

~All Respond~

HEAR US AND HELP US, WE HUMBLY PRAY.

Good Shepherd, who knows the name of each one of his sheep:

~All Respond~

HEAR US AND HELP US, WE HUMBLY PRAY.

Good Shepherd, who revives our drooping spirits:

Good Shepherd, who goes after each sheep that strays:

Good Shepherd, who rescues his sheep from the wolves:

Good Shepherd, who guards and guides his wandering sheep:

~All Respond~

HEAR US AND HELP US, WE HUMBLY PRAY.

Good Shepherd, who hears the prayers of the whole flock:

Good Shepherd, whose goodness and kindness follow us all the days of our life:

Good Shepherd, who pastures his sheep through all eternity:

~All Respond~

HEAR US AND HELP US, WE HUMBLY PRAY.

 

NOVENA PRAYER

Jesus, Good Shepherd, you tend your flock unceasingly and know our every need.  May your crook and your staff always protect us and guide us through all the troubles of this life.

(Here we state our needs.)

Good Jesus, remember us in your infinite mercy, set us among the blessed of your Father, and save us in the time of trial, O Savior of the world, living and reigning with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.

AMEN

 

May the great Shepherd of the flock, by the blood that sealed an eternal covenant, bless us and keep us.

AMEN