Rule of St. Benedict and Prayer for Priests

Today’s reading in the Rule of St. Benedict states for the monastery Abbott:  

Let him who know, then, that he who has undertaken the government of souls must prepare himself to render an account of them…he may be sure beyond a doubt that on Judgment Day he will have to give to the Lord an account of all these souls, as well as of his own soul.

 That, not only for our Abbots but also for our priests, is a demanding—possibly terrifying—responsibility. It is one that few of us would be willing to undertake unless called.

Let us pray for these courageous men willing to step into such a perilous job description. Let us pray, always, that Our Lord grant them the strength and perseverance in the governance and guidance of the souls under their watch.

(Image by LianeM, courtesy shutterstock.com.)