Prayer of St John Paul II — Pastores dabo vobis

Closing prayer of the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores dabo vobis (I Will Give You Shepherds), of St John Paul II, given on 25 March 1992 — Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. The exhortation is the fundamental magisterial document on the formation of priests and ends (no. 82) by entrusting to Mary, Mother of priests, all who are called to the ordained ministry.

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 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 fulfilment 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 its pastors; obtain for the order of presbyters the fullness of gifts, O Queen of the Apostles.

O Mother of Jesus Christ, you were with him at the beginning of his life and his 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, and accompany your sons in their lives and ministries, O Mother of priests. Amen.