In November, the Pope will be praying that pastors will accompany their flocks, an exhortation he has made in various settings and to different audiences.
The Apostleship of Prayer announced the Pope’s intentions for November.
The Holy Father’s universal prayer intention for November is: “That we may be open to personal encounter and dialogue with all, even those whose convictions differ from our own”.
His intention for evangelisation is: “That pastors of the Church, with profound love for their flocks, may accompany them and enliven their hope.”
‘Wasting’ time
This second intention is related to a conviction Pope Francis has turned into an exhortation on several occasions.
On his trip to the United States, the Pope told bishops that they must accompany their flocks, offering guidance that is “not the result of talking but of shepherding.”
“Only one capable of standing ‘in the midst of’ the flock can be watchful, not someone who is afraid of questions, contact, accompaniment.”
“We might well ask whether in our pastoral ministry we are ready to ‘waste’ time with families,” he said. “Whether we are ready to be present to them, sharing their difficulties and joys.”
And just a few days ago, on Oct. 27, the Holy Father tweeted a related exhortation: “Parents, can you ‘waste time’ with your children? It is one of the most important things that you can do each day.”
