NOVENA TO THE GOOD SHEPHERD

 
L: In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 
A: AMEN
L:Blessed be the Good Shepherd.
A:WHO LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.
 
HYMN: GSP Good Shepherd 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.
 
ANTIPHON: When the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the glorious
crown.

PSALM 23

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.
 
 L: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
A: As it was in the beginning is now and will be forever. Amen

ANTIPHON: When the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the glorious
crown.

Let us pray:
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.
A: AMEN

 READING: JOHN 10:11-15

 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 awolf coming, he leaves the sheep
and scatters them.
The hired man runs away because he is only ahired 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 for
them.

SILENCE

RESPONSORY
 
L: No one takes my life away from me.
A: I GIVE IT UP OUT OF MY OWN FREE WILL.
 
 
 
LITANY OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
 
L: Most High God, Shepherd of Israel:
A: HEAR US AND HELP US, WE HUMBLY PRAY.
 Good Shepherd, who was willing to die for the sheep
HEAR US AND HELP US, WE HUMBLY PRAY.
Good Shepherd, who knows the name of each one of his sheep:
HEAR US AND HELP US, WE HUMBLY PRAY.
Good Shepherd, who revives our drooping spirits:
HEAR US AND HELP US, WE HUMBLY PRAY.
Good Shepherd, who goes after each sheep that strays:
HEAR US AND HELP US, WE HUMBLY PRAY.
Good Shepherd, who rescues his sheep from the wolves:
HEAR US AND HELP US, WE HUMBLY PRAY.
Good Shepherd, who guards and guides his wandering sheep:
 HEAR US AND HELP US, WE HUMBLY PRAY.
Good Shepherd, who hears the prayers of the whole flock:
HEAR US AND HELP US, WE HUMBLY PRAY.
 Good Shepherd, whose goodness and kindness follow us all the days of our life:
HEAR US AND HELP US, WE HUMBLY PRAY.
Good Shepherd, who pastures his sheep through all eternity:
HEAR US AND HELP US, WE HUMBLY PRAY.

Let us pray:
Faithful Shepherd,
You are not a hireling who runs away at the sight of danger,
but Your fidelity was tested
and proven on the wood of the Cross.
Accept the gift of our gratitude
for Your marvelous care.
Help us to hear and follow Your voice.

Watchful Shepherd,
who protects the flock
and searches tirelessly
for those who wander from the fold,
retrieve the lost and bring them home.
Tend and heal their wounds.

Good Shepherd,
who lays down His Life for His sheep,
nourish Your people with the Bread of Life,
that we may reflect Your likeness
and enjoy the spring of Living Water that never ends.

Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER
Good Shepherd,
Teach us to follow you:
to care for all that are close to us,
to protect those who are threatened,
to welcome those who are rejected,
to forgive those who are burdened by guilt,
to heal those who are broken and sick,
to share with those who have little or nothing,
to take the time to really know one another
and love as you have loved us.
Good Shepherd,
Teach us to follow you:
to spread compassion to those who are far away,
to speak for those who are voiceless,
to defend those who are oppressed and abused,
to work for justice for those who are exploited,
to make peace for those who suffer violence,
to take the time to recognise our connectedness,
and to love as you have loved us.
Good Shepherd,
Teach us to follow you
and to be faithful to calling you gave us
to be shepherds in your name.
Amen.
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.
 (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.
A: AMEN

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