On this First Saturday (and feast of St John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests), I am sharing another of Alberione's prayers, this one to Mary as "Mother of the Good Shepherd." Although Alberione was somewhat obsessive about inculcating in the Pauline Family a special devotion to Mary under the title "Queen of the Apostles," he made an exception of sorts for one of the congregations. The Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd (nicknamed "Pastorelle" Sisters) were founded to work alongside parish priests in the care of souls. He entrusted them to Mary under the title of "Mother of the Good Shepherd" (sometimes "Mother of the Divine Shepherd"); it helps all of us understand what Alberione meant by "Queen of Apostles"! This is from the First Saturday prayers written for the Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd (the picture is a detail of the mosaic in the Sisters' motherhouse chapel).

Mother of the Good Shepherd,

Have pity on your scattered children, on so many who are still straying like sheep without a shepherd. Save the innocent, convert sinners, strengthen the weak, sustain the wavering, comfort the troubled, assist the sorrowful. Form many saints! Give us apostles and good pastors! 

You know, Mother, what a valley of tears we live in, how we walk in the midst of so many enemies, what fragile clay we are made of. Turn your merciful gaze toward us. May you lead us to Jesus, Way and Truth and Life, the eternal Shepherd of all; to the joy of Heaven. Amen.