Pastores Dabo Vobis (i Will Give You Shepherds)

O Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ

and Mother of priests,

accept this title which we bestow on you

to celebrate your motherhood

and to contemplate with you

the Priesthood of your Son

and of your sons,

O Holy Mother of God.



O Mother of Christ,

to the Messiah-Priest

you gave a body of flesh

through the anointing of the Holy Spirit

for the salvation of the poor

and the contrite of heart;

guard priests in your heart

and in the Church,

O Mother of the Saviour.



O Mother of Faith,

you accompanied to the Temple the Son of Man,

the fulfillment of the promises

given to the fathers;

give to the Father for his glory

the priests of your Son,

O Ark of the Covenant.

O Mother of the Church,

in the midst of the disciples

in the Upper Room you prayed

to the Spirit for the new People

and their Shepherds;

obtain for the Order of Presbyters

a full measure of gifts,

O Queen of the Apostles.



O Mother of Jesus Christ,

you were with Him at the beginning

of his life and mission,

you sought the Master among the crowd,

you stood beside him when he was lifted up

from the earth consumed as the one eternal sacrifice

and you had John, your son, near at hand;

accept from the beginning those who have been called,

protect their growth,

in their life ministry accompany your sons,

O Mother of Priests.

Amen.