May 18 - Prayer to St. John I

O faithful Shepherd who laid down your life for the sake of true teaching, who was killed by one set against God's Word… though deprived of food and so of this life, you were given instead the life of Heaven and serve as a holy example of what should be sacrificed for love of truth and right – pray that the flock shepherded this day by the apostles will be led by the same loyalty, led by genuine pastors whose love for the sheep would lead them to lay down their lives that the Church might be blessed by a radiant faith which shines the light of Christ even to the ends of this dying earth.