Principles and Practices - April 3

The Good Shepherd

The first of all 'special devotions' practised by the children of the Church - the devotion of the Church in the Catacombs - was devotion to the Good Shepherd. They were in conflict with the world, with the persecutor's cruel power, with the unbeliever's immorality; and they turned from strife and conflict for rest and peace, to the Good Shepherd, who still seemed to say to them, 'Fear not, little flock.'... Then, too, Our Lord Himself displayed an evident preference for this name, for He said, speaking of Himself: 'I am the Good Shepherd.'

-Rev. Kenelm Digby Best.
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From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930