The Shepherd of Hermas, which circulated extensively, served as a guide for the ecclesial life of the early christians and possessed almost a canonical authority until the fourth century. Afterwards it disappeared and was forgotten. Now that it has been rediscovered, it intrigues readers but it also leaves them bewildered. Is it just a jumble of several different documents thrown together without internal unity as some say ? This article suggests reading the Shepherd as it was read in the early Church ; namely, as a guide which accompanied the Christian from his initial formation in the faith to his spiritual maturity.