For Your Own People: Aelred of Rievaulx's Pastoral Prayer

by Mark DelCogliano (Translator), Marsha L. Dutton (Introduction)

Responsible before God for the members of his monastic community, the abbot guides, protects, and serves his monks. Aelred of Rievaulx, a twelfth-century Cistercian abbot renowned for pastoral care, in this prayer, suitable for all pastors, entreats Jesus to assist him in the awesome task of bringing to God the brothers whom Christ has called together. He proclaims his love for them and identifies them as Jesus' own people, the new Israel, the community of Christ's brothers.

88 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2008

Reviews

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could I give this anything but a five. A man asking God for wisdom in being a leader and a servant, admitting his weakness and crying out to God in his dependence on God. Crying out for his people to the one who gives every good gift and is the one who put him in the position as abbot.