Jesus is the Good Shepherd of our lives, guiding us through all moments here on earth, whether they are good or for our growth. As helpers in this mission, God places shepherds and guides on our path, such as the Pope, bishops, and priests, who must lead their flock, the people of God, to salvation.

In one of the texts left by Father Eustáquio, published in the Bulletin of the Sacred Hearts Parish in the years 1946 and 1947, the Blessed Father offers a reflection on the role of pastors in the lives of their flock. Read the text below:

Sermon of the Good Shepherd

There they are, along the road, on the slopes of the silent mountains, how they parade in great numbers and confidently, running, sometimes slowly, following the shepherd's footsteps, now climbing, now descending hills, crossing valleys and cliffs, fording streams, blazing trails through hostile and unknown paths, overcoming cold and rain – the multitudes of sheep, meek and peaceful, as if secure in their fate, because ahead, facing all dangers and, as many times, risking their own lives, goes the good shepherd, to whom the flocks belong.

And this shepherd who knows all his sheep and whom all the sheep already know, which is why they all seek him and only by following him do they find security and satisfaction, is a beautiful image of the Catholic Church, for the flocks are the unions of the faithful, the shepherd is Our Lord Jesus Christ himself, whose visible representative is the Holy Father the Pope, who, even in the persons of his Bishops, takes the lead of the flock, and, therefore, is the good shepherd..

As Our Lord already said, as we all know, shepherd and sheep know each other and seek one another, and that is why Jesus could so painfully predict one day: “One of you who dips his hand into the dish with me will betray me.” – Indeed, Judas rose up and became the traitor of his master. Not only this example, but another, bitter for both sides, can be given, and that is the denial of Saint Peter, which he knew how to weep over. And Jesus could also predict one day: “Before the rooster crows, Peter, you will have denied me three times.” And Saint Peter protested and contradicted, in vain, however. Because, as Jesus said, it happened. Yes, the Good Shepherd knows his sheep.

Ah! My dearest brothers, after death, many will knock on Heaven's door, seeking the Good Shepherd. He, however, who knows all things and is aware of all His sheep, whose hearts He alone searches and discovers even the smallest faults, will judge actions, not words alone, judging not words, but the deeds inscribed therein. It is of no use to claim "I am Catholic."“.