The Divine Shepherdess
July 23, Carmelite Feast of Our Mother of Divine Grace.
In Hispanic culture, there is a devotion to the Blessed Virgin as Divine Shepherdess, which is traced back to a vision of Our Lady by St. Isidore of Seville. Lately I have taken to invoking Our Lady by this title, which was also a title used by Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified in reference to the Blessed Virgin. I have found it helpful in meditating upon the passion of Jesus, thinking of Our Lord as the Lamb of God. (I’m fond of calling him, “Little Lamb” - so you see how Our Lady as Shepherdess fits in so well.)
Like a lamb, led to the slaughter without resistance, Our Lord submitted to those who scourged him, peeling his garments and flesh away as a sheep is shorn…kicking and goading him, until he lie down to be nailed to the cross…like an innocent little lamb.
