August 2025 Communique in PDF Format
Greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ! One hundred years ago (31 May 1925), during another Jubilee Year, our Apostolate’s priestly patron, St John Vianney, was canonized. His Feast Day: August 4th. In this centenary year, consider generously pledging something in gratitude to honor his life and patronage to us and to all priests. Think 100! Perhaps… offer 1oo prayers, sacrifices or acts of kindness; gift $100 to a priest or priestly cause; research 100 quotes of St John Vianney; inform 100 people about the work of Seven Sisters!
It has been said that there is a saint for every cause and a cause for every saint. Good news as surely we each have a holy cause! St Augustine offers a summation: “One is a life of faith, the other a life of vision; one is a life passed on pilgrimage in time, the other in a dwelling place in eternity; one is a life of toil, the other of repose; one is spent on the road, the other in our homeland; one is active, involving labor, the other contemplative, the reward of labor.” Personalities and missions run the gamut. A human ordinariness can sometimes cloak the interior of a soul full of the love that marks every saint. Some might say this of St John Vianney who was both tender and humble in appearance and demeanor.
In her series of tree paintings, painter Erika Pochybova-Johnson visually alludes to this. The detail highlighted here amply portrays the existence of vivid, fruitful life veiled beneath the soil. (In the full painting the stunning roots are 3-4 times what is shown here!) The branches on this tree are not yet blossoming, but there are colorful clues that a wealth of life is about to burst forth. The wellspring remains hidden. Challenged with seminary studies and self-confidence, the fledging priest, Fr John Vianney, was assigned to Ars, a forsaken part of France, because there “he would not disturb too much”. He was tasked with these parting words from the Vicar General, “There is not much love for God in that parish; you will bring some into it.” This challenge was literally taken to heart his full 41 years there! Seven Sisters can glean, gain and grow from the clear counsel and admirable life of our trusted companion and intercessor. St John Vianney, how can we bring more love where it is lacking?
Thoughts on prayer from our patron:
+ “Our prayer is an incense which He receives with extreme pleasure.”
+ “We see some persons who lose themselves in prayer like a fish in the water, because they are all for God. There is not division in their heart. Oh, how I love those generous souls!”
+ “When our heart is pure and united to God, we feel within ourselves a joy, a sweetness that inebriates, a light that dazzles us. …like two pieces of wax melted together… a happiness we cannot understand.”
Thoughts on Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from our patron:
+ “Our Lord is hidden there…See how good He is! He accommodates Himself to our weakness.”
+ “When we are before the Blessed Sacrament, instead of looking about, let us shut our eyes and our mouth; let us open our heart: our good God will open His; we shall go to Him, He will come to us, the one to ask, the other to receive; it will be a breath from one to the other.”
+ “Come, my soul, redouble thy fervor; thou art alone adoring thy God. His eyes rest upon thee alone.”
Thoughts on the priesthood from our patron:
+ “The priest has the key of the heavenly treasures; it is he who opens the door; he is the steward of the good God, the distributer of His wealth.”
+ “The priest is not a priest for himself. He is for you. After God, the priest is everything. Leave a parish twenty years without priests; they will worship beasts.”
+ “The priest will not understand the greatness of his office till he is in Heaven.”
In 1959, to commemorate the centenary of St JV’s death, Pope John XXIII reflected on the saintly life in an exceptional encyclical entitled Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia. The Pontiff said this: “St. John Mary Vianney is a person who attracts and practically pushes all of us to these heights of the priestly life.” Let us pray that St John Vianney will be this firm holy influence for all priests! Fifty years later (2009), Pope Benedict XVI used the 150th anniversary of St JV’s death as an impetus to inaugurate the Year for Priests, whose theme was “Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of Priests”. In the summer of 2010, near the close of the Year for Priests, the inspiration to offer a weekly Holy Hour for Fr Joseph Johnson presented itself. Roughly nine months later another invitation came during a Holy Hour offered on 24 March 2011 and in the Archdiocese of St Paul-Mpls where St John Vianney is named the co-patron with St Paul. All this – and more – rests in the Heart and Hand of God.
St John Vianney, pray for our priests and guide them! St John Vianney, pray for us and guide us! Help us to bring more love into our own hearts and into the hearts of those priestly brothers in Christ for whom we ardently pray… that together our interior lives may flourish and bear new life.
United in prayer, fasting and mission…that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest. Eternal gratitude continues as you each offer a daily wee Hail Mary for me. “One Ave Maria makes hell tremble” (St John Vianney). Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’ (St Teresa of Calcutta). Your emails, notes and calls always arrive to my heart door at the just the right moment! Financial sacrifices are for 100% furtherance of the Apostolate. Your letters of testimony are beautiful and edifying! What glory is given to God through them! Be assured of my continued daily prayers for you at the altar. – Janette (Howe) +JMJ+ 651-283-0929; 43 Nord Circle Rd, St Paul, MN 55127; sevensistersapostolate@gmail.com
SEVEN SISTERS – in and out and about:
Heartfelt welcome: NEW groups that registered in JULY to cover more priests in daily prayer: Additional groups in Vatican City, Washington, DC, and these USA states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington. Internationally there are now over 5100 groups (of at least 7 intercessors – many have more) in 6 continents, 36 countries, all 50 USA states and most Provinces in Canada. Currently there are 7 groups for Pope Leo registered. More welcomed!
RECENT … and AHEAD on the calendar:
> Mon, 4 Aug: Feast of St John Vianney. Holy Hour offered for your intentions (Jeff/Janette)
> See Magnificat. Nine Days with St John Vianney small prayer booklet. https://us.magnificat.net/
> May-October: Champion Shrine’s Shepherd Project. A season of prayer for each and every Bishop in the USA. One daily prayer provided. To sign up: https://championshrine.org/shepherd-project/
> Gratitude to Ave Maria Radio (Detroit area) for an interview with Janette (23 July)
> 5-7 Sept (Fri-Sun): Overnight (2 nights) retreat for Spanish-speaking Seven Sisters. $150.
St Felix Center. 1280 Hitzfield St. Huntington, IN. Contact Lily: Apostolado7Hermanas@gmail.com
> Sat, 4 Oct: Day of Reflection. 8 am-2:30 pm. Messages of Hope. Immaculate Conception, Pine City, MN. Open to all women! Incl Mass, Reflections (Fr Thomas, Donna, Janette)/Testimonies, Lunch. $20. Contact: Anna: sevensistersduluth@gmail.com.
> Thurs, 9 Oct: 5 pm Mass, followed w/light meal, presentation: The Privilege of Praying for Priests, Q& A. (Janette). St. Thomas More Univ Parish (Norman, OK) Contact: Brigid: brigid@stm-ou.org
> Sat, 18 Oct: St Gregory the Great Seminary (Seward, NE) Rhonda: sevensisterslincoln@gmail.com
> Sat, 25 Oct: Retreat. 8-3. St. Andrew (Gladstone, MO). “Everything is Coming Up Roses!” Mass, lunch, reflections (Fr Schneider/Judy/Janette). $25. Judy Koster sevensisterskcsj@gmail.com
MATTERS of the HEART:
- “When I enter churches and adoration chapels to pray, I see women I know there praying for their priest. It brings joy to my heart! May our joy abound and the Apostolate multiply! So much passion and heart go from us to our priests! Love that! Joyous in His work.” (Beth, Virginia)
- “It is such a humble thought, isn’t it! This little Apostolate has blossomed into a quiet force of Grace.” (Carmen, Kansas)
- “My Mom has been a part of Seven Sisters and it has been on my heart to start one in our parish. Our Priests do so much and this as a beautiful way to give back! We will all be blessed as individuals, our families, and our parish family by this Apostolate! Thank you for all the wonderful resources!” (Susan, Nebraska)
- “I have been an Apostolate Sister for close to 5 years. Our community as Sisters, locally and throughout the world, has given me purpose and engagement beyond myself.” (Carol, North Carolina)
- “I completed my first Holy Hour yesterday for my assigned priest. The Holy Spirit was my beautiful guide. Grateful to be part of this Apostolate.” (Jeanen, Maryland)
- “I did not grow praying for priests nor was I taught to do so. Seeing priests going through one crisis after another led me to praying for them and it is growing. I am on a learning path.” (Susan, Pennsylvania)
- “I have been reading about the Seven Sisters Apostolate and my joy keeps ever growing to have become a witness of God’s unceasing Mercy and Providence through it.” (Emma, Florida)
- “I have been focusing more on my prayer life over the last few years to find where God wants me to serve. I saw a post about this ministry today and couldn’t fill out the form fast enough. If it is God’s will, I would be honored to serve in this capacity as Anchoress.” (Ginger, Kentucky)
ELIJAH’s HELPERS: Intercessors in this group are dedicated to offering Holy Hours for priests in various forms of crisis (no names known). These are special Hours for special circumstances and carry special supportive graces. It is growing! Please consider this vital, hope-filled offering for our priests! All inquiries about stating a group: sevensistersapostolate@gmail.com
PRO PACE (Latin, for peace): In Nov 2024 an opportunity opened to pray for the souls of priests in Purgatory. Groups of seven are to band together. The commitment for each intercessor will be to attend holy Mass on one’s unique day every week and offer one’s personal Mass intention and personal Communion for the souls of priests in Purgatory. Anchoress: registration forms on the Website.
APPRECIATED and LOVED quilt project: A double cloaking for RETIRED PRIESTS: Seven Sisters prayer and a quilt! The priests love both! To learn more regarding a single quilt for a retired priest or on how to get this started in your Diocese, contact QuiltsBySevenSisters@gmail.com
FASTING BROTHERS is growing: Groups of men offering various forms of fasting to augment the prayer efforts of a Seven Sisters group. Each man prayerfully discerns the type of fasting he will offer and commits to fast a designated day of the week (excepting Sunday/Solemnities). Our Chaplain, strongly urges formation of these groups. Form on the Website for FB leader to register.
LAMP-BEARERS: Lamp-Bearers, so-named for their action of continually ‘filling of their lamps with the oil of prayer’, pray for the Apostolate at large. Each intercessor offers prayers of her choice every day, and prays for two unique countries to increase prayer efforts for priests. Intentions are gleaned from topics and calendar points in the Communique and sent to members on the second or third Sunday of the month. Additional intercessors ever-welcomed. Inquire through Website.
SEVEN SISTERS Guideline BOOKLETS: Available as free download from Web site. Hard copies passed on for printing cost of $2 each + P/H. Order thru Web email with amount desired/address
SEVEN SISTERS Tri-fold BROCHURE: Effectively used in parish pamphlet stands (ask pastor’s approval prior), Adoration Chapels, Retreat Centers, Bags/Packets for Women’s Conferences/Retreats, Women’s clubs, Serra clubs – or simply handing out! Available on Web as free download. Recommend 80# silk for best printing results. May also order through Web site. Indicate address/quantity. 50 cents each or 25 for $10 + P/H. Available in ENGLISH and SPANISH.
SEVEN SISTERS Tri-fold LITANY for PRIESTS: Beautifully printed on 100# silk (a bit thicker than brochures). Original artwork (inspired by the Diary of St Faustina) by Seven Sister in Minnesota, Litany by Richard Cardinal Cushing. 50 cents each or 25 for $10 + P/H.
REMEMBRANCE of those SEVEN SISTERS who have PASSED: We want to remember those Seven Sisters in name and in prayer, who have gone before us to their eternal rest. Visit the Web site. Click on ABOUT folder and scroll to bottom, choose: IN REMEMBRANCE. Follow prompts… OR you may submit info via the Website email. Please check site monthly for additions and to pray!
PRIEST who has PASSED to ETERNAL REST: If the priest for whom you pray has entered eternal life, the group may be led to continue to pray for a length of time for the soul of that priest. Perhaps a novena of Holy Hours or the offering of holy Mass(es) for the priest. You will know. Some groups have/are offering Holy Hours for an entire year for their beloved deceased priest. Groups may be started following the death of a priest that did not have a group prior. This is commendable and welcomed. Please register these special groups through the Web site.