Vigils Reading – St Aelred of Rievaulz

THE PASTORAL PRAYER

of St Aelred of Rievaulx

◊◊◊

O Jesus, good Shepherd, O Jesus, kind and loving shepherd, a wretched

and miserable shepherd cries out to you. Although he is weak, ignorant, and

useless, still he is the shepherd of your sheep… You, dear Lord, have entrusted

such a one with the care of the household, you have appointed such a one over

the sheep of your pasture. You order me who am too little solicitous for myself to

be solicitous for them; who am not able to pray for my own sins to pray for them;

and to teach them when I have not sufficiently taught myself.

Why do you, Fountain of mercy, why do you wish to entrust those who are

so dear to you to one whom your watchful care has lost sight of? Did you appoint

such a one over your family that your mercy might be made manifest and your

wisdom known? If by chance it is pleasing to your goodness for such a one to

rule your family well, may he not boast as a wise man in his own wisdom, or as a

strong man in his own strength, or as a just man in his own justice, since when

he rules your people well, you rule rather than he. Not to us, Lord, not to us the

glory; let your name alone be honored.

Since you have given them this blind leader, this unlearned teacher and

ignorant guide, if not for my sake then for theirs, teach him whom you have

commanded to teach others, lead him whom you have commanded to lead

others, direct him whom you have set over others to guide. Our merciful God,

hear me when I pray for them through affection and duty or from the

consideration of your kindness. You know, sweet Lord, how I love them, how my

heart is poured out on them, how my affection melts over them. You know, My

Lord, that I do not command by austerity or by the power of my spirit. You know

how I wish in charity to be useful to them rather than to rule over them; in5

humility to be under them but by affection to be in them. This I ask, that your

eyes should be ever watching, night and day. Spread your wings most lovingly to

protect them, extend your holy right hand to bless them, infuse your holy Spirit

into their hearts, until we all realize our common unity through faith.

O sweet Lord, by the working of your holy Spirit may they be at peace with

themselves, with one another, and with me. May they be modest, kind, and

obedient; serving and supporting one another; fervent in spirit, rejoicing in

hope. Be in their midst according to your faithful promise. Since you know what

is necessary for each, I beseech you to strengthen what is weak in them, support

what is warm, make firm what is unstable, so that each one may feel that your

grace is not lacking in his necessities and temptations…

I entrust them to your holy hands and your loving providence. No one can

tear away from your hand or from the hand of your servant to whom you have

entrusted them, but may they happily persevere in their holy purpose and –

persevering – obtain eternal life through you, our dearest Lord, who lives and

reigns, world without end. Amen.