Greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ…

As unpleasant news stuns our hearts in these days regarding Catholic clergy, peace comes remembering Our Lord never forsakes us (Deut 31:6) and, in all things, brings forth the good (Ro 8:28). The wisdom of saints, including from our patron, St John Vianney, echoes Truth Himself.

Sitting quietly in the rays of the Blessed Sacrament recently, a connection regarding these disheartening reports and the Seven Sisters Apostolate emerged.  There arose a remembrance that the inspiration of the Apostolate arrived at my heart door (03/24/11) just a breath after finishing a meditation on the wounds of Christ.  It is a meditation that evolved in those early weeks and months of prayer, the way each Holy Hour began – and still begins.  It serves to remind that the priest is called to walk the Way of Christ.  Pitfalls loom.  The Way is narrow, at times rugged, steep, ambiguous, linked with suffering.  The meditation bears an understanding that it is indeed possible for the priest to persevere, but only through the merits of Christ’s wounds.  Mercy and grace are entreated because they are necessary for the priest as both recipient and conduit.  As Seven Sisters we can call upon Our Lord for the release of this treasure trove of graces for the sanctity of priests.

St John Vianney encourages, “Why not love our crosses, and make use of them to take us to heaven?” And further, “Under the winepress of the cross, our soul produces a juice that feeds and strengthens us.  When we haven’t got any crosses, we are dry.” It is said that our patron often cried, even to weeping.  When asked, “’Why do you cry so much?’, his heartfelt and illuminating response, “Because you cry so little.”

The risen Jesus does not appear without His wounds.  Through them St Thomas expresses the fullness of his faith, “My Lord and My God!” (Jn 20:24-28).  Our personal and collective hardships and sufferings find meaning through the wounds of Christ. To an audience of Chilean priests in January 2018, Pope Francis explained: “We are not asked to ignore or hide our wounds.  A church with wounds can understand the wounds of today’s world and to make them her own, suffering with them, accompanying them and seeking to heal them.  A wounded church does not make herself the center of things, does not believe that she is perfect, but puts at the center the One who can heal those wounds, whose name is Jesus Christ.”

The Holy Father’s pontificate steadily bears the themes of mercy.  He practices what he preaches.  In mid-March 2018, during the day’s Angelus reflection, he advocated the ancient devotion of contemplating the five wounds of Christ (each hand, each foot, side).  He recommended praying an Our Father prior to moving to the next wound.  “When we pray that Our Father, let’s enter through Jesus’ wounds and arrive deeper and deeper, into His heart.” The Pontiff continued, “Enter into His wounds and contemplate the love in His heart for you, and you, and you, and me, for everyone.” Included is the priest for whom you pray.

My weekly practice of this meditation, albeit slightly different, carries a like-hearted goal.  The meditation is done kneeling in sight of the Crucifix behind the monstrance.  (If travelling and there is not a Crucifix in the Adoration Chapel, my rosary Crucifix suffices).  Using the rosary beads, a simple phrase is uttered, “By the merits of the wound of Your (location), have mercy on Fr ___.” A decade for each meditation is offered.  An additional mediation flows from the first, considering some of the other wounds of Christ (again using rosary beads): “By the merits of the wounds from Your crown of thorns, purify Fr ___ thoughts and give him the mind of Christ.” … “By the merits of the wounds of Your back, heal Fr ___ in the areas of need.” … “By the merits of the wounds of Your knees, fortify and deepen Fr ___ prayer life.” … “By the merits of the wounds on Your feet, make straight the way for Fr ___.” … “By the merits of the wounds of insults and spittle, increase Fr ___ humility.”

While most popular in the 12th and 13th centuries there was a revival of this devotion through the Divine Mercy reflections of the Polish St Faustina Kowalska. “As I was praying before the Blessed Sacrament and greeting the five wounds of Jesus, at each salutation I felt a torrent of graces gushing into my soul, giving me a foretaste of heaven and absolute confidence in God’s mercy.  Jesus told me that I please Him best by meditating on His sorrowful Passion and by such meditation much light falls upon my soul” (Diary, 1337, 267 – my emphasis).  Some have used the Divine Mercy Chaplet prayers to efficaciously contemplate the wounds of Christ.  “Jesus said: I give great graces to souls who meditate devoutly on My Passion” (Diary, 737).

The classic prayer, the Anima Christi (which has been dubbed the ‘saint-maker’ since numerous Saints prayed this daily following reception of Communion), includes the appeal to Jesus: “Within Thy wounds hide me.”  Here lies an important vantage point for the Seven Sisters intercessors.  A place within to assist in forming prayers for the priest for whom we are committed to pray. St. Bernard concurs: “Where have your love, your mercy, your compassion shone out more luminously than in your wounds, sweet, gentle Lord of mercy?”

In these days of greater transparency and cleansing in our Church, St John Vianney offers us more counsel: “God commands you to pray, but forbids you to worry.” And “It is always springtime in the heart that loves God.”  St John Vianney, pray for us!

In CELEBRATION of St John Vianney’s Feast Day and his generous and loving patronage: I am offering FREE St John Vianney medals which have been touched to a first-class relic of him (making the medals third-class relics).  Send me a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope).  Limit one medal request per envelope please.

United in prayer and mission…
that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest…
… eternal gratitude continues as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day….  Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’  (St Mother Teresa of Calcutta)
… your kind emails and notes and generous support always arrive to my heart door at the right moment! Your letters of testimony (of both victories and challenges) are so beautiful and edifying! Don’t stop writing to me. Eternal gratitude is mine for YOU! Be assured of my continued daily prayers for you at the altar.

Janette
+JMJ+

Greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ…

Recently while enjoying a meal on our patio with guests, a singing wren made a visit.  I interrupted conversation, pointing to the dense woods. Listen! Altho hidden from sight, the sweet trill of the wren heartened us toward smiles all around.

Despite being such a wee and very plain-looking bird (when one is able to spot one!), the wren is gifted with a remarkably beautiful and penetrating voice.  It never seems to run out of hours or reasons to sing!  Yet in the case of our dinner gathering, even this impressive melody went unnoticed.   So may it seem with our prayer offerings as Seven Sisters – hidden, week after week after week.  Does it matter?  Do our prayers go beyond the ceiling of the Chapel?  Do they have effect?  Are they being heard?

While these are reasonable inquiries, it seems Seven Sisters are better served by a contentment that comes from our anchor verse:  … in quietness and trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15).  The heart of St Peter Damien encourages, “Let the serenity of your spirit shine through your face.  Let the joy of your mind burst forth.  Let words of thanks break from your lips.” His counsel challenges our prayers to pour forth  – simply because God has asked us to join Him in these endeavors to pray for priests.  “This is what I was made for” (St Joan of Arc). Our prayerful voices, albeit perhaps seeming so plain and small and unnoticed, hold eternally worthy resonance in the merit that God has called us to them and faithfully guides us in them. Simple. Humble. The seedbed for a divine joy that cannot be contained. …so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (John 30:11).

Over and again when I meet with Seven Sisters – face-to-face or through phone calls, emails, notes – I am struck by theuniversal witness of joyfulness. This call to pray for a priest or bishop seems to fulfill something within, animates fresh prayerful actions, gives radiance to one’s countenance.  Fidelity has its reward!

Some have shared that they have at times been led to spend a good portion of their hour simply quietly rejoicing in all that the Lord is accomplishing – seen or unseen – in the call upon and the life of the priest they are committed to pray for. They have further shared that in doing so this gives a new-found liberty of heart – to believe a lavish of thanksgiving and praise of God is redeemable as grace that is applied to the life of this priest for his good.  “For me prayer is a surge of heart, it is a simple look towards Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” (St Therese of Lisieux)

When the wren opens its beak to release its remarkable warble, it often holds its tail vertical as if to give impetus to impart extra gusto to its singing.  It hearkens to a friend’s daughter who, when excited, stands on her tiptoes and seems to cause every muscle to contract.  She uses her whole body to tell the world of her happiness.  So too may it be for us, that we simply allow our whole being to revel in the joy of the Seven Sister mission and its fruits. Let us to allow our cups to runneth over.  Let us permit our thanks and joy to simply break from our lips.  No need to ruffle our feathers over this or that. Let us rather embrace the Hours set before us, remembering what has passed and anticipating what is to be – allowing our interior voices of gratitude and joy be heard in the heavens through the din of the world’s “woods”.

There is a children’s tale about the various birds trying to choose a King among them.  Would the criteria be beauty? size? strength?  The wise owl suggested the bird that flies the highest should be King.  Knowing its limits, the little wren hid in the feathers of the eagle, unbeknownst to all.  The birds took flight.  As each met its limit, the eagle continued to soar and eventually was solo.  The eagle made its descent, but to the surprise of all, the wren flew out and hovered in the sky to try to cinch the honor.  The wise owl was consulted again.  His verdict rested with the eagle because the little wren really did not fly to the heights, but only ‘gave the appearance’.  It is said that the wren accepted the judgement and henceforth flew close to the earth and never ceased singing in a gratitude of humility and joy of being who he was always meant to be.

Remain of good heart.  Your humility and sacrificial prayers assuredly bring a most fragrant offering and sweet sound to the Lord:  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer… (I Peter 3:12a). Grace upon grace. While Psalm 100 is the smallest psalm in the Psalter (more great things in small packages), it has a grand message for us: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!  Serve the Lord with gladness!  Come into His presence with singing! 

And we are well aware that His Word holds a special invitation apart from a self-invitation like that of the wren: that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles… (Isaiah 40:30).  St Francis of Assisi, the saint of simplicity, humility and joy, gives us a fitting closing ponder-able: “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” And I might add – nor keep silent our joy-filled fidelity to pray for our Shepherds. 

United in prayer and mission…
that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest…
… eternal gratitude continues as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day….  Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’  (St Mother Teresa of Calcutta)
… your kind emails and notes and generous support always arrive to my heart door at the right moment! Your letters of testimony (of both victories and challenges) are so beautiful and edifying! Don’t stop writing to me. Eternal gratitude is mine for YOU! Be assured of my continued daily prayers for you at the altar.

Janette
+JMJ+

Greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ…

and a most blessed Solemnity of Corpus Christi!  We live the richest life! …

We bid adieu to that beautiful month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, our time of discernment regarding our involvement in this Apostolate.  Let us now welcome that beautiful month dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, where we respond to God’s Will regarding the Apostolate for the upcoming year.

Please inform your Anchoress TODAY (if you haven’t already) whether you will continue with your Seven Sisters group or depart from its schedule and commitment.  By informing your Anchoress in a timely fashion, hope remains to adjust/adapt any prayer coverage transitions needed to keep them seamless for our priests/bishops.

To both those continuing or departing – eternal gratitude.  Every sacrifice, every prayer bears eternal worth.  Both new beginnings and renewals hold great graces – each entering the radiance of His infinite love through His Sacred Heart!

Gratitude lives well beyond my heart.  Straight from the hearts of priest-recipients regarding your prayers and sacrifices are just a sampling of notes of gratitude…

>  “I believe the Seven Sisters Apostolate has been a great source of grace for my priesthood and, as a result, for all those to whom I minister.  I sense that I have been more centered and integrated in my public and personal life, and that the spark of love for Christ and for His Body has been intensified on a daily basis, helping me to overcome distraction, temptation and weariness of heart.  While I may not recall each day that a female disciple of Jesus is praying for me in a very intentional way, perhaps the strength and encouragement I derive in habitual manner is a taste of what Jesus felt as he was surrounded and supported by holy women.  I am very grateful for the circle of “sisters” who pray for me, and for all whose love for Christ is extended in beautiful solidarity with those who share the yoke of my priesthood.  Thank you so much.”

>  “Since my group of 7 Sisters started praying for me, I often feel comforted and very supported by the fact that I have this loving shield of Marian intercession continually round about me, enfolding me and bearing me up.  … To be so loved, in such a spiritual, prayerful way, I feel so much more confident as a priest, especially when I am facing difficult situations.”

> “I take consolation and strength from knowing that I am being prayed for each day during a prayer hour.”

> “I am grateful for your prayers. It allows the Lord to sustain and bear fruit in and through His priests.”

> “I’m so deeply grateful to be daily enveloped by such powerful prayer.  The effects of the prayers of these dear women have been tangibly felt on numerous occasions.  I have no words to express how blessed I feel.”

> “… I’m convinced that none of us can thrive without a reliance on prayer, so I appreciate knowing that I’m strengthened by my own prayer life, and the prayers being offered by the Seven Sisters.  God bless this Apostolate for all the good it’s doing for the lives of priests and for the life of the Church!”

>  “Knowing that each day throughout the course of the week is covered with hidden prayer before the Lord is a great consolation that spurs me on to serve with zeal and generosity. I am a grateful recipient of this powerful and steady intercession which reminds me that apart from Him I can do nothing. All of us, priests included, are like the paralytic in the Gospel – carried aloft to the Lord by the prayers of friends, loved ones, even of hidden contemplatives and unknown intercessors. The Seven Sisters who dedicate themselves to pray for my intentions and priestly vocation in no small way take up their part in the Church’s mission for souls. With heartfelt thanks, A grateful associate pastor”

>  “Many times during the week I recall that one of the Seven Sisters is praying for me.  I find it so comforting, and also humbling.  Their charity inspires me to be more generous in the time I spend in prayer.  When I’m struggling to keep prayer as a priority, I’m deeply grateful for the powerful intercession provided by these holy women.” 

> “I am sure that I would be in much worse shape if I didn’t have prayer warriors assisting the ministry here. This is what I think: Ministry has its own challenges, as any walk of life, but ours is somewhat different. When things have been spiritually “sleepy” for a long time, the forces of evil don’t have a lot to worry about. However when renewal begins to happen (especially under a pastor’s leadership) people’s lives begin to change. Evil hates that. Many times skirmishes in parishes seem to be about change, but there is a darker side. That darker side is a spiritual battle for people’s souls… Therefore one begins to see a rise in things like gossip, complaining, criticizing the pastor, etc..

While they might have some grounding in reality, I believe many times it is a reaction of the struggle between good and evil. That’s where pastors can get discouraged, back down from or avoid challenging issues or situations that must be addressed… What is hurt is the community spirituality. THIS is where I see the Seven Sisters so important! I am aware of a situation where a Seven Sisters prayer person got upset with the pastor she was praying for and subsequently said she would no longer pray for him! Maybe the Scripture passage about “praying for your enemies” was not one she was familiar with. We don’t just pray for those whom we like 🙂 I am assured that those praying for me help to protect me from anything that would thwart God’s plan for the parishes I serve.  I am humbled and MOST grateful to those faithful women.”

Many priests nationwide are learning of new assignments/ retirement in these days.  It is a new season for these shepherds and a new season for those Seven Sisters in prayer for them. Prayer efforts may need to be ramped up a bit for those in the unsteadiness of the transitions.  So many details, one step at a time.  Let us generously offer our folded hands and bended knees in support.

This is my ‘go to’ prayer in life’s transitions.  May this prayer of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) be yours (and for a transitioning priest), as well:

“O my God, fill my soul with holy joy, courage and strength to serve You.  Enkindle Your love in me and then walk with me along the next stretch of road before me.  I do not see very far ahead, but when I have arrived where the horizon now closes down, a new prospect will open before me, and I shall meet it with peace. Amen.” 

United in prayer and mission…

that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest…

… eternal gratitude continues as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day….  Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’  (St Mother Teresa of Calcutta)

… your kind emails and notes and generous support always arrive to my heart door at the right moment! Your letters of testimony (of both victories and challenges) are so beautiful and edifying! Don’t stop writing to me. Eternal gratitude is mine for YOU! Be assured of my continued daily prayers for you at the altar.

Janette
+JMJ+

651-484-3404 (h)
651-283-0929 (c)
[email protected]

Greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ in this sweetly lingering Easter season! – It is not easy to keep celebrating!  But let us try – that our wellsprings of joy may remind the world that we have plenty to shout about!  Alleluia!

When the phone rings before 7 am, like this morning, it is likely a bit of news that cannot wait or a plea for help.  This morning it carried both. I departed from the computer keys to listen, to pray. The call no sooner had ended, when in a great departure from the norm, another came in.  Really?  Really!  I surrendered once again to the task at hand.  … And so the morning went… and into the afternoon… the unexpected reigned…

Eventually settling into the chair in the den I mused that while the day was not going as planned, perhaps in a deeper sense it was going exactly as planned – by God. God had provided an object lesson for this month’s Communiqué theme: discernment of His Will.  In the day-to-day moments sometimes His Will is not so clear cut.

The echo of Our Lady, “Do whatever He tells you,” continues to reach and stir us.  We want to please God. With St Paul we ask, “Lord what wilt thou have me do?” (Acts 9:6), or with David remind our Lord, “I am thine; do with me according to your good pleasure(Ps 118:94).

Even our desire to seek His Will comes from Him. He beckons. In our response, the Lord meets us with a lavish of graces to learn and submit to His Will.  We have learned that just a toe in the water parts the sea (Joshua 3:13).  There is more: We not only gain the satisfaction of pleasing God in our compliance, but are sanctified in our conformity and our love is perfected, “The chief effect of love is to unite the hearts of those who love each other so that they have the same will” (St Jerome).  When we resist we go backwards, or at best end up in that proverbial somewhere else.

How good to seek His Will – and what a joy to seek His Will as individuals – and together – in this Apostolate!  My prayers heartily join yours as you commit in this month of May to discern (see Guidelines) your continued commitment or departure from the weekly Holy Hours as part of a Seven Sisters Apostolate group.

As soon as you have a clear sense (you need not wait until the end of the month), let the Anchoress of your group know the direction of your call for the coming year.  Ideally, before June commences, committed intercessors will be identified and able to seamlessly continue in prayerful support of the priest or bishop.

WORTH NOTING: The Apostolate serves all priests/bishops, so be open to the call that might be to remain in the Apostolate, but perhaps serve in a different (or new!) group (ie Hospital Chaplain, retired priest/bishop, associate priest in a parish where pastor already has a group, priests serving in Seminaries, priests that are chaplains/professors in High schools/Universities, Canon lawyers, priests who serve the Chancery, priests in religious orders, etc).  Every priestly heart needs and deserves our prayers! Be assured, if you ask, you will know where/how you are called. And likewise, be assured, that God’s graces are sufficient to the task!

Continue with holy fidelity and focus to your Seven Sister’s commitments through May.  It may take extra planning and efforts in this month of ‘so much’. Let us be sensitive in remembering that many of our parish priests and bishops are on ‘double duty’ in this merry, merry month as we celebrate so many events in our sacramental life and special Feast Days, as well.  Likewise, many priests will be learning of new assignments and needing our extra sacrifices and prayers as they anticipate transition.

This is a fitting segue to remind that your groups are designed to cover in prayer a priest in a particular position (ie pastor, rector, associate, etc) rather than a particular priest (with the exception of a retired priest who is no  longer receiving new assignments).  If the priest for whom you are praying is being reassigned, please continue prayers for him until he leaves and his replacement arrives.  Then seamlessly begin prayers for the incoming priest.  The outgoing priest will hopefully enter into an assignment that has an existing Seven Sisters group – or maybe you can encourage the genesis of one in his new environs!

As a final word, may this heart of our sister in Christ, St Elizabeth Ann Seton be ours: “The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner He wills it; and thirdly to do it because it is His will.“

United in prayer and mission…

that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest…

… eternal gratitude continues as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day….  Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’  (St Mother Teresa)

… your kind emails and notes and generous support always arrive to my heart door at the right moment! Eternal gratitude is mine for YOU!  Be assured of my continued daily prayers for you at the altar.

Janette
+JMJ+

651-484-3404 (h)
651-283-0929 (c)
[email protected]

Greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ in this joy-filled Eastertide …

What a grace-laden Holy Week and Triddum!  Truly, truly it will take all these 50 days of celebration to continue to allow such an extravagance of blessings to penetrate, and to adequately express our gratitude for the unending mercy and love of God.  Alleluia!

The silence within Holy Thursday last week brought me to a grace-into-gratitude moment.  I recalled my time, years ago, as a nurse for the Good Shepherd Sisters. A rotation of priests offered daily Mass.  One priest came infrequently, but when he did, it was bittersweet.  While reverent in his Mass offering, the homilies at times leaned heavy toward political themes.  And with views I did not share.

Arrangements were made one summer morning to paint the Chapel.  The smaller, nearby Community room became a temporary Chapel.   That day, the aforementioned priest arrived to serve. The Sisters made their way like happy bees to the honey hive for their communal prayers before Mass. I finished a phone call and scurried to Chapel to discover no spare seats – or inches. Sr Valerie smiled, pushed her walker toward me, motioning me to sit.  My spot atop the walker seat was in the threshold of the door, next to the altar, which was facing the wall, immediately inside the door.  So uniquely close to the altar, a softening of heart during the Consecration came about. A peace seemed to fill every void… But it was at the reception of Communion that an even greater grace presented.  When Father held the host for my consumption, my newly tenderized heart sensed a message, “I have chosen him.”  

The statement brought an intense realization that God chooses each man for His priesthood – even this one that I was not especially akin to. My place is not one of cringing at His choices nor dwelling on imperfections. Through tears, I asked God for forgiveness.  That moment, I lived what St John Chrysostom stated, “He that honors the Priest, will honor God also; and he who has learned to despise the Priest, will in process of time insult God.” 

Last week recalling that moment, I responded in a swell of gratitude that God brought that conversion of heart through His heart. Perhaps at that moment, entwined with the intimacy of the Sacrament of Unity, sitting in that physical threshold, a new unseen threshold presented itself to open ways toward the Seven Sisters Apostolate.

An enduring first fruit of the Apostolate continues.  It is a beautiful maturing of heart for each Seven Sister intercessor: a deeper, rightly ordered understanding and embracing of the dignity of the priesthood. “You are clothed with His Royal Priesthood, and your own priesthood is but one with His, and you are but one priest with the Sovereign Priest.  You are Jesus Christ living and walking on earth. You represent His Person, you hold His Place” (St John Eudes).

Over and again Seven Sisters are compelled to tell of their conversion toward deeper understanding, a deeper love. They come close to what St John Vianney articulated, “If I were to meet a priest and an Angel, I should salute the priest first before I saluted the Angel.  The latter is the friend of God; but the priest holds His place… When people wish to destroy religion, they begin by attacking the priest.”

Likewise, this heart of St Leonard of Port Maurice is understood, “What tongue, human or angelic, may ever describe a power so immeasurable as that exercised by the simplest priest at Mass? Who could ever have imagined that the voice of man which by nature hath not the power even to raise a straw from the ground, should obtain through grace a power so stupendous as to bring from Heaven to earth the Son of God?”  

What a privileged call we hold to pray for our priests and bishops.  What a journey of heart we assent to!  It is not always simple, straightforward nor burden-free. St John Chrysostom (quoted above) also stated, “The road to hell is paved with the bones of priests and monks, and the skulls of bishops are the lamp posts that light the path.” We must take up arms – the arms and hands and knees of prayer interceding for perseverance, fortitude, wisdom and holiness of every priest and bishop.

May we come alongside Our Madonna, Our Lady, and gain her assistance, her insight, her tenacity in hope and in prayer.  As Fr Paul Philippe, OP, reflects, “For Mary, a priest is always a priest, a living image of her Son, and if that image is disfigured by sin, she only has a more ardent desire to give him back that resemblance to Christ, for she sees him as God sees him and with the very sight of God.” 

Let us trust and pray and ne’er lose heart!  Amen!  Alleluia!

United in prayer and mission…

that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest…

… eternal gratitude continues as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day….  Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’  (St Mother Teresa)

…your kind emails and notes and generous support always arrive to my heart door at the right moment! Eternal gratitude is mine for YOU!  Be assured of my continued daily prayers for you at the altar.

Janette
+JMJ+

651-484-3404 (h)
651-283-0929 (c)
[email protected]

Greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ in this sacred Lenten season…

When our daughter ventured into mischief in those early formative years, one recurrent response from her father and I was, “That’s not very becoming of a young lady.” In truth, if she repeatedly tread on a less-than-desirable path, it might later be easier for her to venture off that destined highway of holiness (Isaiah 35:8) toward becoming what God has designed her to be.  As present-day Catholic speaker, Matthew Kelly, phrases it, “Becoming the best version of yourself.”

Our bountiful sacramental life as Catholics is perfectly designed to succour us in our earthly pilgrimage.  Yet our benevolent God deigned it fit to further support us through a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on (Heb 12:1).  Like our parents in our homes having done the same for our benefit, we have brothers and sisters in the heaven lies offering sublime encouragement. They remind us through the real and raw examples of their lives to stay the course and finish well – to become a saint (2 Timothy 4:7). And they pray for us to do just that too! There is help all around!  For each of us, for the priests and bishops for whom we pray!

God has spoiled us with the gift of three patrons to cheer us on as Seven Sisters and to aid us in our prayer offerings: Madonna of the Grapes, St John Vianney and St Margaret Clitherow – whose feast day we celebrate this month. 

March 26th is the day the Church assigns to honor St Margaret. She was actually put to death the day before. Not only was it March 25th- the date that the Feast of the Annunciation is normally celebrated, but in the year that she died, 1586, this date was also Good Friday. She followed in her dear Savior’s footsteps so closely that she died in a cruciform position, her hands and arms outstretched, staked to the street. The martyr was crushed to death by several hundred pounds of weights laid atop a door which rested upon her. It was reported that she was also four months pregnant. Her crime: arranging for Masses to be celebrated in secret and harboring priests, who were at the time hunted and killed.  Catholics who assisted them were charged with committing treason against England and condemned to death. St Margaret’s unwavering and bold witness likely bolstered her children’s understanding of their own call. Her two sons became priests, her daughter a religious sister.

Click here: A Good Friday Saint: Margaret Clitherow, the Pearl of York

The current Guidelines of the Apostolate is shy of some significant details related to our dear patron, St Margaret Clitherow.  This month’s Communiqué highlighting her feast day is a perfect opportunity to bring them to light.  When Fr Johnson asked for a summary of the history of those early months I was a bit vague on the time frame.  I was simply praying weekly for Father as one, with no thoughts of anyone joining me or anything as colossal as Seven Sisters to be a reality. I had firmly connected the Holy Hour when the inspiration was received, however, with a Curatio (Health Care Apostolate) retreat that I attended that next day.  I initially thought it was in the Fall of 2010 (the season this group traditionally had their annual retreat).

As the Seven Sisters Apostolate began to swell in numbers, Father asked me to provide the exact day of the inspiration: “Dates are important to the Church.”  After contacting the Curatio coordinator, I startlingly learned that the retreat was in the Spring of 2011 not the Fall of 2010.  Surprise turned to great joy in discovering that the date was Thursday, March 24, the traditional Feast of St Gabriel.

Two days later that year, during a Holy Hour at the retreat I attended, more regarding the structure of the Apostolate unfolded.  The date: Saturday, March 26 – Feast of St Margaret Clitherow!  Her love and esteem of priests and the Holy Eucharist found a home.  She was with the Apostolate from its inception – so hidden, so humble, so one-of-us, in quietness and trust – a prototypical Seven Sister in every way!

May I heartily encourage you to get to know this saintly sister in Christ who in a sense chose us before we chose her.  Learn her story.  Embrace her as a patron of the Apostolate.  Solicit her assistance in your prayers.  Follow her example in her heroically generous love of the Eucharist and of priests, no matter the cost.  Likely most of us will not be called to the martyrdom that St Margaret Clitherow was assigned.  Nonetheless, no matter the scale, our sacrifices have worth and our prayers have merit.  Our commitments hold weight in the divine economy.

Let us keep St Margaret Clitherow especially busy in this month of March: meeting us, loving us, assisting us, guiding us, praying alongside us to call forth all that God desires of the priest/bishop to become … in His image, in persona Christi.  Yes, that he may be the best version of himself. 

Let the extravagance of grace continue to affect our hearts – to discover and love the saints both in heaven and those-in-the-making for whom we pray on earth!

United in prayer and mission…

that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest…

… eternal gratitude continues as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day….  Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’  (St Mother Teresa)

…your kind emails and notes and generous support always arrive to my heart door at the right moment! Eternal gratitude is mine for YOU!  Be assured of my continued daily prayers for you at the altar.

Janette
+JMJ+
[email protected]

Greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ…

In June of 2014 my husband and I reunited with our son, Fr Spencer, then living in Rome, in Ireland.  Day two held a full agenda heading out of Dublin: a late afternoon Ordination Mass and a stop-on-the way at Silverstream Priory in County Meath.  The Prior, Dom Mark Kirby, is a monk whose blog, Vultus Christi, I follow and to whom I had previously spoken regarding prayer for priests.  I was over-the-moon excited to meet him. Our first words were those of Morning Prayer with his community, then silently, seamlessly, we entered into holy Mass. All-too-suddenly this joyful serenity was shaken, however, when Dom Mark, with great animation, vociferously challenged us in his homily to “never miss” the Introit of the Mass.  It is “the key, the key, the key” to unlock the understanding of the themes of the Mass ahead.

The introit? That fragment of a psalm sung a’cappella as the cross-bearer, acolytes, lectors and priest process toward the sanctuary? I hardly noticed.  After soaking in the beauty of the musical score, my appreciation generally vanished. Dom Mark assured that paying attention to the message of this sliver of Scripture was indeed the all important “key” to opening one’s heart to remain attentive to what was ahead in the holy Mass. “Open the door… enter and enter deeper still”, he irresistibly encouraged.

As Seven Sisters we might overlook “the key” that opens our hearts to the beauty of God’s call as intercessors serving our priests in Holy Hours of prayer.  While in the summer of 2010 I indeed prayed that first Hour exclusively for Fr Joseph Johnson which lead to another and another, both the idea and desire to offer Holy Hours I attribute to God. In responding, this likely perfectly poised me to be in His Eucharistic Presence and months later attentive and open to the concept of Seven Sisters.  Ven Fulton Sheen, who is said to have offered a Holy Hour every day of his priestly life, states: “All my sermons are prepared in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. … The most brilliant ideas come from meeting God face to face. The Holy Spirit… is the best atmosphere of illumination.” 

Drawing from Dom Mark’s perspective, likely God’s inspiration (His beginning, His introit) for the Apostolate is “the key” to the Apostolate… the prayer practice which brings us most deeply into God’s plans for calling us into His work and for moving it forward.  Perhaps He needs us to be in the rays of the Blessed Sacrament for both the sake of the priest and for our own sake. St Teresa of Calcutta experienced the multi-layered benefits of being in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament. “I make a Holy Hour each day in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.  All my sisters of the Missionaries of Charity make a daily Holy Hour as well, because we find that through our daily Holy Hour our love for Jesus becomes more intimate, our love for each other more understanding, and our love for the poor more compassionate. … No where on earth are you more welcomed, no where on earth are you more loved, than by Jesus, living and truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time that you will spend on earth.  Each moment that you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with Him and make your soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in Heaven, and will help bring an everlasting peace on earth.” 

Two comments from Seven Sisters: (1) “I am hoping Father is benefiting from these Holy Hours, because I feel as if I am reaping all the graces… At first the prayer was difficult to stay focused, but now there is little of that and the day of the week doesn’t seem to come quick enough. I love this – thank you! I hope it never stops spreading.  Every priest – and every woman – needs this Apostolate!”

(2) “This is hard to admit, but this was the first Holy Hour I ever finished in my life. I had a mission and now I realize I was part of that mission of God.  He is teaching me so much in these Hours and our priest has expressed  gratitude over and over.”

Some Seven Sisters have asked if a Mass can be offered in the stead of a Holy Hour. My answer, “While a Mass is indeed the highest form of prayer, the inspiration for the Apostolate is the offering of Holy Hours. We do well to stay close to this inspiration.”Can a Seven Sister arrange to have a Mass offered for a priest? or offer the benefits of her Communion for the priest for whom she prays? Of course, and with great merit to the priest, no doubt.  Her commitment as a Seven Sister, however, is fulfilled by the offering of one Holy Hour each week for the priest for whom she is committed to pray.  Anything additional is from her own discretion and generosity.

The Seven Sister is always linked to the Mass.  There is no consecrated Host for the monstrance without the prayers of holy Mass. Perhaps the priest that confected the Host, held in the embrace of the monstrance she kneels before, is the one for whom the Seven Sister prays. What a tender joy and personal connection for her! Our Scriptures remind that we profess a faith of one baptism, one body, one bread. Wherever a Seven Sister may be adoring, there is a link, a meeting as it were of all the other intercessors. We meet at the altar – whether for holy Mass or holy Adoration. And thus a vital part of  the Apostolate identity is one heart of prayer.  This unity hearkens to the reflective Eucharistic heart of St Augustine:  “O sacrament of piety! O sign of unity! O bond of charity! He who wishes to live has a place to live, has whence to live. Let him come close, let him believe; let him be embodied, that he may be revived in life.”

With that said, when there is no Adoration Chapel near by, offering one’s Hour in front of a tabernacle is encouraged and acceptable.  Ven Fulton J Sheen offers a solution that has worked for Seven Sister members.  In his book, Those Mysterious Priests,Ven Fulton J Sheen states, “If .. a part of the Hour were made before Mass and the rest of it after Mass, that would still be continuous.”  The Mass does not interrupt a Holy Hour.  This is a beautiful way of keeping faithful to the Hour if a Seven Sister resides in an area where there may not be Adoration Chapels nearby and/or parishes are not kept open during other parts of the day outside of Mass times.

What about the woman sensing a call to pray for priests in this way, but home bound – either permanently or temporarily?  There may be Chapels/parishes nearby, but factors restrict her ability to get to one.  The Apostolate respects the heart call for each woman to be involved in the Apostolate.  The Anchoress of a group is encouraged to prayerfully discern each situation individually.  If it is deemed that an intercessor will be faithful to the offering of an hour of prayer from her home/residence, then so be it.  Some women in this situation have made it a goal to try to get to a Chapel once a month as an extra sacrifice.  Every sacrifice has worth…

We have been called into a rich and rewarding milieu – the very Heart of Jesus – in which to intercede for our brothers in Christ, who are also our shepherds.   This call to offer Holy Hours seamlessly for bishops and priests is brilliant.  It is the idea of Brilliance Himself. We are beckoned to have audience with the One for whom we beseech graces for another. Blessed are the ears that catch the secret whisperings of Jesus (Thomas a Kempis). In the economy of the Divine, we too are recipients of the lavish of graces.

St Elizabeth Ann Seton, a convert, received great solace by bringing her sorrows to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and speaking heart to heart with Him there: “How sweet, the presence of Jesus to the longing and harassed soul! He is instant peace and balm to every wound.”  As we carry the weariness and wounds of the priests for whom we are committed to pray, let us implore this same solace for them.

The long-anticipated meeting of Dom Mark in the summer of 2014 was a highlight of that trip abroad because “a key” helped open my heart and sight to something always there, but never noticed.  Recently a book has been published entitled, In Sinu Jesu.   When Heart speaks to Heart. The Journal of a Priest at Prayer written by a Benedictine Monk.  Dom Mark is that monk. He shares insights into the unique power of Eucharistic adoration and the homage of silence. Listening closely one might hear him encourage, “Open the door… enter and enter deeper still.”  It is “the key”…

United in prayer and mission…

that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest…

… eternal gratitude continues as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day….  Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’  (St Mother Teresa)

…your kind emails and notes and generous support always arrive to my heart door at the right moment! Eternal gratitude is mine for YOU!  Be assured of my continued daily prayers for you at the altar.

Janette
+JMJ+
[email protected]

Epiphany greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ…

Am trusting that Advent served you to prepare for a Christmastide that was amply filled with all things good, true and beautiful! And if challenges were threaded through the days, we have a pledge that our benevolent Lord will work all things for good. Heartfelt prayers for a Blessed and Prosperous New Year in the Lord for each of you. Truly, truly, the best is yet to be! Grace upon grace…

My commitment as a Lay Missionary of Charity involves a concentrated prayer discipline. Along with Mass and other prayers, each day includes a Litany.  On Tuesday it is the Litany of Humility. In those early weeks (2007) into months as an LMC, I dreaded this Litany.  I often skipped it. One day I confessed to a locally-assigned Missionary of Charity Sister about my troubles in praying what I sensed I did not understand – and further, did not really desire.  Sr Lucinta smiled and offered a sincere and penetrating look, it seemed, into my soul. She took my hand and added, “Don’t worry, I will pray this litany for you every Tuesday for two years, then you will come to know it.” Deal!

In the ensuing months, fruits of the Litany painfully presented themselves to me, causing me to ask Sister to ease up on the regularity of prayer.  While I was sensing the opportunities to grow in this virtue, the wellspring of all virtues, I also sensed I was squandering the graces and all-too-often living in opposition to humility. Her ready response: a smile.  For her, a deal is a deal.  A hope is the strongest of hopes.

Today I pray the Litany of Humility on Tuesdays. Some weeks it remains acutely and tenderly demanding. With that said, I am comforted that I have grown in the graces to pray it, albeit infrequently live it. Nonetheless, gratitude endures for Sr Lucinta’s generosity, foresight and wisdom in partnership in prayer ten plus years ago…

William Ullathorne in his classic The little book of humility and patience (1908) – (later resurrected by Sophia Press as Patience and Humility) – pens, “When humility finds nothing in itself to rest upon, it finds its true center, and that center is God.” Our Lady’s example is perfect in this.  She is that empty vessel, allowing the fill-to-the-brim-and-more of God Himself.  Mary is full of grace!  Ullathorne concurs, “He who is truly humble, truly empty of himself, is a vessel of election to God, full to overflowing with His benedictions. He has only to ask to receive still more. He is the child of all the Beatitudes: poor in spirit, meek of heart, and hungering and thirsting for justice.”  

This orientation is surely something I readily recognize in Our Blessed Mother, likewise recognized in Sr Lucinta and similarly recognize in so many Seven Sisters! It seems that Dutchman Jacob Maris, aptly captures through paint stroke this heart of a Seven Sister in his work,Girl seated outside a house.  A Seven Sister intercessor, like this reflective girl in the painting,  knows the value and necessity of emptying herself in anticipation of God’s assistance, His filling, for her Holy Hour. She heartily cherishes a serious recollection both before and after her prayer.  It is inherent in the offering.  She does not tire nor depart from its discipline. One can almost imagine the purposed divine rays of the tabernacle in the far off church affecting the heart of this young and open one. And so the same for a Seven Sister…. giving and receiving, receiving and giving.

Our Faith affords us innumerable opportunities of growth in humility.  Our duty to prayer is foremost.  We confront ourselves as we really are.  We learn our littleness, our nothingness in the Light of Christ, and at the same while, our belovedness in that same Light.  Both realizations grow our humility! Our sacramental life so too cultivates humility: dipping our fingers in the waters of Baptism, signing ourselves, bending the knee to our King, soliciting the aid of the Saints in our intercessions, believing that our Savior has humbled Himself to the extent of Bread placed upon our tongues, adoring that same Jesus Hostia in tiny chapels of our churches.  The world shakes its head in pity for such foolishness.  While our bodies remain on the earth (the humus – root word of humility), our spirits take heavenly flight in these seemingly petit acts to accept the fruits of our labors of love and joy – accepting a greater reality of humility, that which was exemplified by our Lord Himself, meek and humble of heart.   

“Humility is the mother of all virtues: purity, charity and obedience.  It is in being humble that our love becomes real, devoted and ardent.  If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are. If you are blamed you will not be discouraged.  If they call you a saint you will not put yourself on a pedestal.” – St Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Embracing our mission as Seven Sisters to pray for the sanctity of priests assuredly enrolls us in the school of humility. We rely on both the direction of the Holy Spirit for our prayer offerings and for their answers.  If led in your prayer times to do so: consider to pray for humility for both the priest or bishop for whom you are committed to pray – and for yourself.  Our growth in virtue, and this (humility) the wellspring of all virtue, is a struggle against our frailty, but St Paul reminds us that there is triumph over weakness in Christ (II Cor2:14). Here is the Litany of Humility mentioned earlier, composed by Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930), Secretary of State for Pope St Pius X:

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved…
From the desire of being extolled …
From the desire of being honored …
From the desire of being praised …
From the desire of being preferred to others…
From the desire of being consulted …
From the desire of being approved …
From the fear of being humiliated …
From the fear of being despised…
From the fear of suffering rebukes …
From the fear of being calumniated …
From the fear of being forgotten …
From the fear of being ridiculed …
From the fear of being wronged …
From the fear of being suspected …

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I …
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease …
That others may be chosen and I set aside …
That others may be praised and I unnoticed …
That others may be preferred to me in everything…
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

I have Holy Cards of this Litany that I will happily send FREE to anyone who sends me a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope).

My address: Janette Howe, 43 Nord Circle Road, St Paul, MN 55127

United in prayer and mission –

that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest…

… eternal gratitude continues as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day….  Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’  (St Mother Teresa)

…your kind emails and notes and generous support always arrive to my heart door at the right moment! Eternal gratitude is mine for YOU!  Be assured of my continued daily prayers for you at the altar.

Janette
+JMJ+

Advent greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ…

In these shared December days, the world frenetically prepares for an event or at best, a nebulous season whose definition is up for grabs.  As Catholics we utilize our Advent hours to prepare, not for an event, but for a Person.  We fittingly and happily remind each other of the immense gift of relationship with that One brought into our midst – our Emmanuel, God with us.  He is that One Who emptied Himself to make right both the course of history and of our hearts.  He is that One Who firmly sets our feet upon the holy highway, designed for those with a journey to make (Isaiah 35: 8,9).  He is that One Who defines our life, our mission, our purpose.  He is that One.

Several years ago I attended a talk entitled, “Handfuls of History.”  Offering persuasive examples, the speaker proposed that the course of history was/is changed not by scores of people, but rather by individuals – by a few, mere handfuls.  Our Faith tradition supports this notion. Our life eternal springs from our life in the one Christ.  While desiring unity among us, He nonetheless seeks each individually. The work of the heart is done not en masse, but one-by-one.

We recall that Christ’s inner circle of Apostles were beckoned individually by a glance of the eye and a call. When complete, they numbered only twelve. Later Jesus sent out His followers on mission: two-by-two.  A group for this Apostolate becomes ‘official’ with merely a circle of seven praying for one. “Never worry about numbers.   Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you” (St Teresa of Calcutta). There is an intimacy in smallness that heavenly ways seems to prefer and Seven Sisters finds benefit in embracing.

Our hearts find strength and verve in this way too. How we delight to look to and discover anew courageous and generous Saintly individuals that one-by-one find their place among the great cloud of witnesses cheering us on.  These relationships bless us to be a blessing.  We too are summoned and sent forth on parallel mission to our holy predecessors, to be a compelling example and sympathetic influence, helping to draw others onto that great holy highway.

Over and again Seven Sister intercessors bear witness and words to a distinctive God-given call to join these prayer endeavors.  These small handfuls of faithful, individual intercessors carry the potential to edify the course of history in their little corner of the world.  We are each with a dynamic part in the unfolding of history.  There is a power of one.

As a Seven Sister, your one hour for one priest each week hearkens to that pebble tossed in a still lake. While the concentric ripples display a seemingly obvious response to the pebble’s initial impact on the lake’s surface, the reality is that the ripples are actually formed from the impact of the displaced water underneath!  What is seen outwardly from your Holy Hours has its origins in the fertile, hidden and deep silence of the Adoration Chapel. Your sacrifices of prayer have worth beyond measure.

Based on the 2015 findings of CARA (Georgetown U based – Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate),one priest (on average)distributes Communion 27,000 times a year, baptizes 21 babies, offers the sacrament of reconciliation 352 times a year, presides at Holy Mass 468 times a year, anoints the sick 10 times a year and presides over 4 marriages per year.  On average that one priest will serve approximately 50 years, swelling these figures to nearly 1.4 million acts of God’s sacramental love offered by a single priest. Oh, and lest we forget… nothing has yet been mentioned regarding countless works of mercy, prayers, hospital visits, street evangelization, spiritual counseling, mentoring of marriages/consecrated vocations and simple acts of daily kindnesses and example. Indeed, the power of one looms more real than a simple, stark cliche. The winds of the Holy Spirit blow where they may… 

As we continue in our Advent season preparation to know, love and serve more fully and deeply Our-Lord-come-among-us, we do well to heed the counsel of St Peter Julian Eymard as we pray the same preparation for the priests and bishops to whom we are committed to pray:  “Have confidence in prayer.  It is the unfailing power which God has given us.  By means of it, you will obtain the salvation of the dear souls whom God has given you and all your loved ones. ‘Ask and you shall receive,’ Our Lord said.  Be yourself with the good Lord.” 

Yes, let us be the onethe Lord has called us to be – faithful to respond in love and generosity to the holy endeavors He has called us to share in this Apostolate!  Despite our seemingly small hour coupled with our seemingly small group, this is no small matter! The soul for whom you pray has the potential, as yours, to positively influence the course of history.

Blessed and holy Advent and Christmas seasons to you and your loved ones.

Dive deep, climb high! “Be yourself with the good Lord.” He is that One!

United in prayer and mission –

that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest…

… eternal gratitude continues as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day….  Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’  (St Mother Teresa)

…your kind emails and notes and generous support always arrive to my heart door at the right moment! Eternal gratitude is mine for YOU!  Be assured of my continued daily prayers for you at the altar.

Janette
+JMJ+

Greetings dearest Sisters in Christ…

My desktop had a mandatory update on Nov 1st and, while it came with firm assurance that ‘nothing would be lost’, several addresses and files were arbitrarily dropped and the ability to add a background pattern to my emails vanished. Argh! In the meanwhile, as the November chill creeps into St Paul, my home is warm and, even better, my husband steadfastly stays by my side despite my narrowness of heart, at times.  Bearing fresh perspective, this gratitude happily wins, hearkening to my father’s reminders in my formative years that  gratitude turns what you have into enough.

Just as recent circumstances blind-sided me from noticing a more blessed place of reality, so too as we offer our weekly Holy Hours as Seven Sisters, a very real treasure therein may be overlooked. In the blur of the practical sacrifices to get to our prayer times and in the real work of an intense focus of our intercessory prayers, it may remain unnoticed.  It involves gratitude for the fullness of the call we have as intercessors.  While we likely embrace and even, at times, sense the privilege of our prayer efforts for priests, there is something equally beautiful underlying our efforts that we may not as readily sense.

Our principle charge is to pray for the needs and the sanctity of a priest, but we do well to remember that our own holiness is in the equation too.  This is beyond the good feelings of accomplishing what we committed to do. In fact, we may not bear any feelings regarding this aspect of our Seven Sister prayer offering.  Consider this:  “Holiness is produced in us by the will of God and our acceptance of it, says de Caussade (Abandonment to Divine Providence). “…with childlike willingness, accept all that God presents… What God arranges for us to experience at each moment is the best and holiest thing that could happen to us. … Without Him everything is nothing, and with Him nothing is everything.  We may meditate, indulge in contemplation, pray aloud, practice interior silence…and though they may all be valuable, there is nothing better for us than to do what God wants at any particular moment.” 

Even the desire to be a part of this Apostolate had its genesis in God.  We cannot claim the desire. He both fore-ordained and instilled it.  He called each one of us to respond (or not) to it – not only in the beginning, but He beckons us forth each week.  We live in the Hands of God.  Our Faith allows us to see Our Lord continually drawing us into a cooperation with His grace.  Like St John we can say at any moment, “It is the Lord!” and like St Peter we can respond to “spring into the sea” (John 21:7).

While our motivating factor as a Seven Sister is most certainly not “what will I get out of this”, there is both a sweet and fiery reality that as we remain faithful to our commitment to the weekly prayers (and for as long as God calls us to do this),  we are indeed growing in holiness.  Every God-given call on our lives supports the universal call to holiness and supports His plans to prosper us. Divine economy builds this in.  “In reality, holiness consists of one thing: complete loyalty to God’s will… Perfection is neither more nor less than the soul’s faithful cooperation with God…Our only satisfaction must be to live in the present moment as if there were nothing to expect beyond it” (de Caussade).

My prayers as of late have been that each of us will intensify the love in our prayer offerings, and embrace the graces to savor all of the moments  of the Holy Hours we offer – on every level, felt or unfelt.  In faith, we do not waver from the belief that He lavishes His graces (Eph 1:6-8, 18, 2:7, 3:8).  “A secret working of the divine wisdom is to pour treasure into the heart whilst impoverishing the sense, so that the one overflows whilst the other is drained and emptied” (de Caussade).  He protects us from knowing the workings of His graces, but our joyful witness cannot keep hidden the reality of His hidden work in our hearts alongside His hidden work in the hearts of the priests for whom we pray.  “So, dear souls, let us love, for love will give us everything.  It gives us holiness and all that accompanies it. It is all around us and flows into every receptive heart. O what a thing is this holy seed which ripens into eternal life! We cannot praise it enough… we must be active in all that the present moment demands of us” (de Caussade).

Let us embrace the moments of our Holy Hours! – for the benefit of the priest and for our benefit!

Grace upon grace, gratitude upon gratitude… we indeed live the richest life!

United in prayer and mission – that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest…

… eternal gratitude continues as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day….  Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’  (St Mother Teresa)  And one more thought from Pooh:  “We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?” asked Piglet.  “Even longer,” Pooh answered.

Janette

+JMJ+

SEVEN SISTERS – in and out and about:  

SPANISH translation of Communique:  This is generously done every month by Zahyra B, Anchoress for a Seven Sisters group in Venezuela.  They are then posted (and archived) on the Website.  If it is easier to receive through an email account, please let me know.  Zahyra made an ‘appearance’ via mini-video at the St Paul-Mpls Archdiocesan Time of Recollection on Nov 4.  She is JOY personified!

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 or to my email address. 

Heartfelt and continued GRATITUDE: 

• Gratitude for invitation to speak at the Oct 10 CCW Deanery workshop (Brainerd, MN
• Gratitude for invitation to speak at the Oct 28 Women’s Conference (Mankato, MN) 
• Gratitude to Janela H for hosting informationals in Rochester, MN, on Priesthood Sunday (Oct 29).
• Gratitude to All Saints (Lakeville, MN) Seven Sisters groups for organizing a most memorable and grace-filled Archdiocesan time of Reflection (and gratitude to the 400 who registered) on Nov 4.
• Gratitude to artist, Mary D (MN) for agreeing to commissioned work (painting) of our Patrons
• Gratitude to artist, Annie W (MN) for inspiration to fashion a banner of the Apostolate patrons
• Gratitude to Doreen P who is the newly assigned St Paul-Mpls Archdiocesan Coordinator and will help form and lead a team of Seven Sisters members to pray for and look to forming groups for priests currently not covered in this type of prayer.  If interested, indicate through Web site email.

Thou that hast given so much to me, 
Give one thing more, a grateful heart.
Not thankful when it pleaseth me;
As if Thy blessings had spare days:
But such a heart, whose pulse may be Thy praise.
-George Herbert (1593-1633)

AHEAD on the calendar:

• Nov 17: Fr Johnson and Janette: Regional/District Serra Club retreat/meeting  (MN/Dakotas)
• Serra Club (MN): 01/12/18
• Lorrie E will staff an informational booth at the Beauty in Christ Women’s Conference in Cedar Rapids, IA, on January 27, 2018 (8 am – 3 pm) 
• EWTN spot  (TBD)
• Day of Recollection: Iowa. Spring of 2018.  Theme: Getting to Know our Patrons
• Gatherings in North Dakota, Georgia, Nebraska, Florida remain in the prayer/discernment stage.

RAISING AWARENESS: Let us together remain open to starting groups for priests that are perhaps less visible (those not in a traditional parish setting).  Examples: Hospital Chaplains, Military Chaplains, Monasteries, Professors in Universities, School Chaplains, Retirement Home Chaplains, Canon Lawyers, priests serving in Seminaries, Chanceries,  Exorcists, and Retired priests. If you sense a call to this Apostolate, there is a priest or bishop who needs your prayers! 

Greetings dearest Sisters…

As is habit, when my birthday draws near, I ask the Lord, He who makes all things new, about the ‘theme’ of the new year ahead.  In 2002 I did not depart from the inquiry.  When the response came back, however, I took it a bit stiffly.  “Pray the rosary every day.”  Having returned to the treasury of the Catholic Church in March of 1999, I had only infrequently picked up the beads.  “Well, Lord, I am going to need a lot of help if this is the plan.  I don’t even know the Mysteries.”  Three days after this conversation and two days after my birthday, Pope JPII declared the Year of the Rosary along with the gladsome debut of the Luminous Mysteries within the context of his Apostolic letter of said date, The Rosary of the Virgin Mary.  I savored and studied every word.  Oh, happy day.  Oh happy year, and bountiful grace upon grace.  A life changer.

The love affair with the Rosary continues:  my contentment in the dark of restless nights, my solace when my mother passed, my go-to gift for RCIA candidates, my essential hiking gear and my ever-ready work commute companion.  In this month dedicated to the Rosary, it is fitting to encourage its use for your weekly Seven Sister Holy Hour.  If it isn’t part of your normal Hour, perhaps in October you could make an exception and include it for Father’s benefit.  Praying for Father’s own love of the rosary may be a companion prayer to include too.

In each of the six apparitions of Fatima (this year holding the special graces of the centenary), Mary urged with great insistence that we pray the Rosary every day.  The Rosary is both meditation and supplication.  Pope St JPII reminds, “Insistent prayer to the Mother of God is based on confidence that her maternal intercession can obtain all things from the heart of her Son.”  As we pray for the priest or bishop to whom we are committed to pray, this is good news!  All things obtainable from the heart of Jesus!

Here are seven (a favored number!) insights from champions of the Rosary:

“I could conquer the world if I had an army to say the rosary.” – Bl Pope Pius IX

“We should meditate on the mysteries (of the rosary), applying them to the circumstances of our own lives.” (so too, the lives of the priests for whom you pray) – St Anthony Mary Claret

“We honor her (Mary) by praying the rosary with love and devotion and by radiating her humility, kindness, and thoughtfulness towards others.” – St Teresa of Calcutta

“The flowers of the rosary never perish.” – Ven Pope Pius XII

“Today, as in other times, the rosary must be a powerful weapon to enable us to win in our interior struggle, and to help all souls.” – St Josemaria Escriva

“The rosary of Mary is the great lever, it is the anchor of salvation for society and for individuals.  Lepanto (Oct 7) and Vienna (Sept 12) are names associated with the rosary.  The victories over the Albigensians, over French philosophies, over liberalism and modernism find their explanation in the rosary.”  – Bl James Alberione

“There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the holy rosary.”– Servant of God Lucia dos Santos (Fatima seer)

Recently I met with Bishop Conley of Lincoln, NE, regarding Seven Sisters.  Knowing that he knew our Apostolate Chaplain, Fr Joseph Johnson, I asked if perhaps they studied in Rome together.  He explained that at the time of their meeting he was already a priest working at the Vatican, but was residing at the NAC (North American College) where Fr Johnson was then a seminarian.  While recalling this, Bishop Conley gazed off a bit in the distance, appeared to be holding something imaginary in his hand, and said, “He was the sacristan for the NAC Chapel and I fondly recall him moving along on his rosary beads in one hand as he set up for the holy Masses there with the other.”  It comes as no surprise then that years later this seminarian-ordained-priest who carries a serious weapon (the rosary) would hold a witness of generosity so strong that it would spark the genesis of this international Apostolate, Seven Sisters.  May God richly reward Fr Joseph Johnson.

United in prayer and mission – that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest…

… eternal gratitude continues as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day….  Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’  (St Mother Teresa)

Janette

+JMJ+

SEVEN SISTERS – in and out and about:  

SPANISH translation of Communique:  This is done every month by Zahyra B, Anchoress for a Seven Sisters group in Venezuela.  They are then posted (and archived) on the Web.  If easier to receive through an email account, please let me know.  Zahyra, your generosity teaches…

RESOURCES for encountering the ROSARY more deeply: Champions of the Rosary (2016, Donald Calloway, MIC),  The Rosary “The Little Summa” (4th ed, 2003, Robert Feeney), Praying the Rosary like Never Before (2017, Edward Sri).  The list could go on – but this is a happy start…

UPDATE: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:24-25 

Nov 4, Saturday: Seven Sisters 4th Annual St Paul/Mpls Archdiocesan Day of Recollection/Retreat.  Theme: Getting to Know our Patrons (Heb 12:1a)  This event is fittingly within the octave celebration of All Saints Day and hosted by All Saints parish in Lakeville, MN.  Our Seven Sisters mission, of course, is sanctity of our priests. Let us anticipate grace upon grace upon grace that day!  Registration went live Sept 23.  Need not be from St Paul-Mpls Archdiocese to attend.  All welcome!  Best if Anchoresses can register for all those in her group wishing to attend.  Registration fee is $10 each. Pre-registration requested and preferred by Oct 23.  If you have questions or need help with registration,please contact Kim T at 952-393-5594 or at [email protected]

SEVEN SISTERS as TOPIC:

Gratitude to both Angela M and Cindy C who organized an informational booth for Seven Sisters when St Peters in Forest Lake, MN,  hosted a Spiritual Maternity Conference on Sept 9

Gratitude to Rhonda L who organized the very well attended Sept 30 Morning of Recollection in Lincoln, NE. Theme: The Privilege of Praying for Priests. The weekend included the visit with the Bishop and a stop for holy Mass and discussion at the Diocesan home for retired priests.  Priests in residence are delighted they may receive Seven Sisters groups.

Gratitude to Leone B, Joann O, and Corrine S who are organizing an informational booth for Seven Sisters for a Fatima Conference in Dubuque, Iowa on 10/14

Oct 10: CCW Deanery workshop in Brainerd, MN. Topic: History of Apostolate and mission

Oct 28, Saturday: Women’s Conference – St John the Baptist, Mankato, MN

Mid-Nov: Fr Johnson and Janette will speak together at a Regional/District Serra Club meeting  (MN/Dakotas). 

Ahead: Lorrie E will staff an informational booth at the Beauty in Christ Women’s Conference in Cedar Rapids, IA, on January 27,2018 (8 am – 3 pm) 

NOTEWORTHY: Just today learned that the EWTN spot (providentially?) necessitated a reschedule.  Likely to be in January 2018.  All has purpose…

Gatherings in North Dakota, Georgia and Florida remain in the prayer/discernment stage.

RAISING AWARENESS: Let us together remain open to starting groups for priests that are perhaps less visible (those not in a traditional parish setting).  Examples: Hospital Chaplains, Military Chaplains, Monasteries, Professors in Universities, School Chaplains, Retirement Home Chaplains, Canon Lawyers, priests serving in Seminaries, Chanceries,  Exorcists, and Retired priests. If you sense a call to this Apostolate, there is a priest or bishop who needs your prayers! 

Greetings dearest Sisters…

Contrary to its normal habits, one Spring a red-shouldered hawk nested in a towering tree next to our home.  We delighted daily to get a binocular-look of the fuzzy white heads of the growing babies peeking over the top of the colossal nest, begging for food.  Strong winds of a summer storm challenged the durability of the nest one afternoon and to the horror of our young son, who witnessed all, it collapsed. The pint-sized occupants plummeted to the ground.  We phoned the local Conservationist for help.  Upon his swift arrival, he nestled the four baby birds in a lidded basket and slung it on his side as he mounted the tree with foot gear, ropes and a plan.   Once the nest was masterfully rebuilt, he gently placed the young ones in its hollow.

Like for our fine-feathered friends, the storms of life arrive unexpectedly.  Assuredly they will come.  Assuredly they will visit the priest for whom you pray.  Our answer is simple.  We swiftly seek help from the One Who is the answer, Jesus Himself.  As St. Jane de Chantal reminds,  “Hold your eyes on God and leave the doing to Him. That is all the doing you have to worry about.” While we might face the temptation to mull over situations that arise in the parish or diocese or with the priest himself, we best serve the situation and ourselves, by choosing prayer over the rumination.  “Go directly to Jesus without too much fuss,” counsels St Peter Julian Eymard.

A consistent testimony from Seven Sisters intercessors is that they find their hearts moving in this inclination:  of prayer before rushing to judgements, prayer before trying to fix a situation themselves, prayer to seek the wisdom and peace of the highest sort – from He whose ways and thoughts are higher than ours.  What a gift this is!  The Saintly Jeanne Jugan, foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor, states from experience, “Jesus is waiting for you in the chapel.  Go and find Him when your strength and patience are giving out, when you feel lonely and helpless.  Say to Him: ‘You know well what is happening, my dear Jesus.  I have only You. Come to my aid…’ And then go your way.  And don’t worry about knowing how you are going to manage.  It is enough to have told our good Lord.  He has an excellent memory.”

As Seven Sisters we are perfectly posed to do this, as we consistently rest all our cares in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, resigning ourselves into His Hands, His Heart, His Plan. “O God, come to my assistance.  O Lord, make haste to help me” (beginning of the Liturgy of the Hours – Psalm 70:1).

That Summer “when the baby birds fell”, our family also remembers the day that the birds, having gained strength in their natural abode under the nurturing of their mother, took flight from the nest.  In some small way, we sensed we contributed to that happy day.  We called upon someone to help that had the right equipment, the right compassion and the right plan.  As intercessors for our priests and bishops, let us continually entrust them to the care of their Mother Mary and her Son.  May the words of the prophet Isaiah be realized in their lives and ours alike:  But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).

United in prayer and mission -that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest…

… eternal gratitude continues as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day….  Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’  (St Mother Teresa)

St Jeanne Jugan (quoted above) also says, “The Hail Mary will take us to heaven.” What about you, are you afraid of heights?!  Let’s travel together!

Janette
+JMJ+

SEVEN SISTERS – in and out and about:  

HAPPY TRAILS and WELCOME: Mary S. is in the process of handing the baton of the Web Site management to another, Rose C.  She is being called to a new chapter in her already rich and full life.  Mary, there are simply not words for your holy endeavors of launching the beautiful Web site.  Your prayerful management is evident!  Our heartfelt prayers of gratitude and hope accompany you. Welcome, welcome to Rose, who is one of the Seven Sisters for Archbishop Hebda.  We remain in the best of hands and heart in Rose!

REMINDER:  THANK YOU to the 85% of Anchoresses that have responded to Marg W to update the Spreadsheet info. If you, as an Anchoress, have not responded, please check your InBasket and Spam for prior emails from her. Her email:  [email protected]’s critical we keep our records current. Let’s hope for 100% response by the end of this month!

RAISING AWARENESS: Let us together remain open to starting groups for priests that are perhaps less visible (those not in a traditional parish setting).  Examples: Hospital Chaplains, Military Chaplains, Monasteries, Professors in Universities, School Chaplains, Retirement Home Chaplains, Canon Lawyers, priests serving in Seminaries, Chanceries,  Exorcists, and Retired priests. If you sense a call to this Apostolate, there is a priest or bishop who needs your prayers! 

SEVEN SISTERS as TOPIC:

Gratitude to both Bridget K and Deb T who organized and conducted informationals regarding Seven Sisters in the Winona diocese and St. Paul- Mpls Archdiocese.

Sept 6: CCW in St Pius X parish in White Bear Lake, MN (informational, history of the Apostolate)

Sept 30, Saturday: gathering/retreat in Lincoln, NE. Theme: The Privilege of Praying for Priests

Oct 28, Saturday: Women’s Conference – St John the Baptist, Mankato, MN

Fr Johnson and I will have an appearance on EWTN in October, a Relevant Radio spot on Oct 20 and speak together at a Regional/District Serra Club meeting in mid-November (MN/Dakotas).

Gatherings in North Dakota, Georgia and Florida are in the prayer/discernment stage

UPDATE: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:24-25 

Nov 4, Saturday: Seven Sisters 4th Annual St Paul/Mpls Day of Recollection/Retreat.  Theme: Getting to Know our Patrons (Heb 12:1a)  This event is fittingly within the octave celebration of All Saints Day and hosted by All Saints parish in Lakeville, MN.  Our Seven Sisters mission, of course, is sanctity of our priests. Let us anticipate grace upon grace upon grace that day!  Registration will go live on Sept 23.  Need not be from St Paul- Mpls Archdiocese to attend.  All welcome!

“O, how great is the priest! … If he realized what he is, he would die.” – St John Vianney

St John Vianney, pray for us!
Feast Day – August 4

Greetings dearest Sisters…

In celebration of the Feast of one of our Patrons, St John Vianney, am passing on a reflection from Fr Jeffrey F Kirby (priest of ten years).  Rich fare!  May it bring a wellspring of new life to help form your prayers for the priest for whom you pray!

United in prayer and mission –
that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest…

Janette
+JMJ+

Pope Francis Raises the Bar for Priests
and that’s a Good Thing

By Fr Jeffrey F Kirby
Diocese of Charleston , SC
07/31/17

I celebrated the tenth anniversary of my ordination this past week.  I am surprised how quickly the time has flown, how much has been expected of me as a priest, and how much good God has been able to do in me and through me when I have heeded the counsel emphasized by Pope Francis.

As Pope Francis calls for deeper reform within the Church, he has raised the level of expectations for his priests. As some members of the clergy decide to isolate themselves and their ministry from him, and choose a different path contrary to his direction, the pope goes to the heart of the matter.

He reminds priests: “For the flock he is a shepherd, not an inspector, and he devotes himself to the mission not fifty or sixty percent, but with all he has.”

The pontiff calls priests back to Jesus Christ, who is to be their first love. He exhorts them to live their consecration to the Lord Jesus without exception. The pope unflinchingly exposes the dark spirits of pride, vanity and greed, which can betray a priest’s dedication to the Gospel, and calls the clergy to prayer, humility, and to a simplicity of life.

And on that foundation, the pope echoes the commission given by Jesus Christ to go into the world, foster fellowship with all men and women, and selflessly serve those in need. As he famously said, priests are to know “the odor of the sheep.”

In his teaching, the pope continues this summons when he instructed: “The heart of the priest is a heart pierced by the love of the Lord. For this reason, he no longer looks to himself, but is turned towards God and his brothers and sisters.”

Drawing on his own decades of sacerdotal ministry, the pontiff dissects the heart of a priest, explaining that “it is no longer ‘a fluttering heart,’ allured by momentary whims, shunning disagreements and seeking petty satisfactions. Rather, it is a heart rooted firmly in the Lord, warmed by the Holy Spirit, open and available to our brothers and sisters.”

This catechesis particularly hit home for me as I celebrated the tenth anniversary of my ordination this past week. I am surprised how quickly time has flown, how much has been expected of me as a priest, and how much good God has been able to do in me and through me when I have heeded the counsel emphasized by Pope Francis.

In ten years, I’ve learned that a priest can either be a “man of God” or a man of this world. He can be a person of prayer or of domination, one who shepherds or one who harms, he can be either a prince or a penitent.

When unchecked, ministry can quickly become self-promotion or indulgence. It can be a seedbed of entitlement, resentment, and self-pity.

When tempered, however, ministry can be a constant opportunity for love, self-donation, and generous service. When lived well and according to one’s ordination, the priesthood becomes a bridge.

And over this bridge the priest can bring the tenderness of God and his saving message of mercy and kindness into the world while simultaneously bringing wounded and hurt humanity into the welcoming presence of God. This interconnection is the work of the priest. It’s what should drive him in his service and motivate him in his outreach.

And this is the mission to which Pope Francis is attempting to refocus and redirect the affection and energy of his clergy.

And so, the pope would teach about Jesus Christ: “The Heart of the Good Shepherd tells us that his love is limitless. It is never exhausted and it never gives up. There we see his infinite and boundless self-giving. There we find the source of that faithful and meek love which sets free and makes others free.”

Without any equivocation or compromise, therefore, Pope Francis calls all priests today to pursue and strive to be nothing less than the Good Shepherd himself.

Does every priest seek to live this lofty vocation of love?

Perhaps a few avoid it, but most have staked their lives on this journey of the Cross and Resurrection, of failure and repentance, and of compassion and renewal.

In the end, most priests understand their mission and labor to do their best in spite of their own insecurities, sins and weaknesses. And so, it is right for Pope Francis to call on and admonish the priests of the Church, as if saying: “Become what you were born to be! The Church and the world need you. Give everything without counting the cost. Don’t be distracted. Stay the course. Lov

Greetings dearest Sisters…

I visited a friend who was nearing the threshold of this life, leaning toward the next.  She was lucid when I arrived that afternoon and I took advantage of her wakefulness to pose a question: “Tell me your favorite Mystery of the rosary. Let’s pray it.”  Flashing a radiant-albeit-weak smile, without hesitation, she breathed her sure answer, “Oh … the Agony in the Garden.”

It came as no surprise that while Pat likely had the energy reserves for only one decade that afternoon, she would swiftly choose such a fitting Mystery for our mutual meditation.  Her life seemed to amplify its essence: adherence to the will of God through perseverance.

It is something I admired more deeply in her that day … and something I clearly recognize in the woman that gives her fiat to the Seven Sisters way of prayer.  Like Pat, she is a woman whose “yes means yes” and despite an occasional (frequent?) unexpected ‘barbed wire’ in the path, she keeps her commitment to prayer, her resolution to the Will of God to pray.

The Catechism (#2741) reminds through the late 4th c monk, Evagrius Ponticus: “We have not been commanded to work, to keep watch and to fast constantly, but it has been laid down that we are to pray without ceasing.”  Over and again I learn from Seven Sisters intercessors that they are not “fitting this Holy Hour” into their schedule, but rather make a distinction that they are “allotting this time within their life of prayer” for this purpose.  Surely, this perspective and witness of fervor blooms out of love: humble, trusting and persevering.

Our perseverance is a gift. “We must pray incessantly for the gift of perseverance,” advises St Philip Neri.  Our Lord puts a desire in our hearts to persevere.  At times it seems elusive. Let us pray as St Philip advises and trust we will receive it! “Perseverance is a great grace.  To go on gaining and advancing every day, we must be resolute, and bear and suffer as our blessed forerunners did.  Which of them gained heaven without a struggle?” (St Elizabeth Ann Seton)

The Catechism (#2729) also reminds that “the habitual difficulty in prayer is distraction.”   In April of 2016 I sent a Communique on this subject and it might prove beneficial to revisit it.  In a nutshell: distractions are a universal challenge even among the saints, but not insurmountable. Discipline to turn one’s heart back to attending to God and His presence is the certain defeat of distraction.  Let us be resolute. Remain stouthearted in developing that discipline.  As has been memorably said, “Get cracking” (Mother Angelica).  Let us not underestimate or judge the merits of developing the discipline to persevere. Simply continue. St Alphonsus Liguouri (Feast: Aug 1), encourages and reminds:  “If you have many distractions at prayer, that prayer of yours may well be upsetting the devil a great deal.”

Likely nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.  We experience this in the physical world and know the same to be true in the finest of our endeavors in the spiritual realm. May God continue to richly reward us as we hold fast to the course of our commitments to pray for our priests and bishops.

If you are unable to meet the committed hour of your particular day, you remain faithful to your duty by securing someone to accept the privilege of covering for you.  You need only to explain the Apostolate mission as best you can, emphasizing that the Holy Hour is completely given to the intentions of one priest/bishop. A growing number of women have become keen to a call to serve in the Apostolate as full time intercessors by being asked to cover a Holy Hour here and there.  How beautiful are God’s plans to extend His invitation…

May God richly reward our tenacity, fidelity, perseverance and love – the lasting thing!

I have long had the feeling that, since the world is growing so rapidly worse and worse and God has lost His hold, as it were, upon the hearts of men, He is looking all the more earnestly and anxiously for big things from those who are faithful to Him still. He cannot, perhaps, gather a large army round His standard, but He wants every one in it to be a hero, absolutely and lovingly devoted to Him. – Fr William Doyle, SJ

United in prayer and mission –
that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest
… eternal gratitude continues as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day….  Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’  (St Mother Teresa)

I am also grateful for your emails and notes of encouragement, as well as sacrificial donations to the Apostolate.  I pass many materials on weekly, so be assured that 100% of your giving is used for the Apostolate and its furtherance.

Janette
+JMJ+

SEVEN SISTERS – in and out and about:  

Greetings dearest Sisters… and friends of God…

Long remembered is the glow in the countenance of a friend that was asked to consider Seven Sisters.  Her swift and fitting response was, “Oh, yes, yes … much is accomplished before our Eucharistic Lord!”

Surely we can, and should, enter the secret place of our own heart and repose in the contemplation of God.  But God Himself has provided another dwelling place for us – the light of His real Presence!  My friend understands this, and further, understands that this is an ideal environs to lift the soul and concerns of our earthly Shepherds.

How splendid of the Holy Spirit to inspire this Apostolate to have its workings in the quiet and rich habitation of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.  …in quietness and trust is your strength. – Isaiah 30:15

SEVEN REASONS (that I learned from YOU!) of how we are benefiting from our prayers offered intentionally before the Blessed Sacrament:

1) Growth in love. Considering another greater than ourselves is God’s commandment and design for us to grow in love. “Out of love, place yourselves at one another’s service”  (Gal 5:13).

2) Praying for the least among us.  Prayer of St Teresa of Calcutta (echoing Our Lord) “Whatever you did unto one of the least, you did unto Me.”  The priest has accepted the position of servant to all.  Our prayers help him to fulfill his call and we benefit in having a priest serve us who is embracing and witnessing his humble God-given call and holy place of service.

3) Docility in prayer. Putting ourselves in an environment of silence helps form our prayers. The Holy Spirit is our ever-ready help and Teacher par excellence.  “Silence is the law of the divine plans.  … We listen in silence; man enters into a silence that is God. … Silence is not an absence.  On the contrary, it is the manifestation of a presence, the most intense of all presences. … For silence is where God dwells.  He drapes Himself in silence. … All that is from God makes no noise.  Nothing is sudden, everything is delicate, pure and silent.” – Robert Cardinal Sarah, The Power of Silence Against the Dictatorship of Noise, 2017 (A must read!).

4) Heart wholeness and holiness.  The priest benefits, we benefit.  He is made to understand himself more truly and live it, and we the same.  Beatitude upon beatitude.  “In every Christian life there is a sacred domain of nascent growth in which dwells Christ – a domain in which we are more firmly rooted than we are in our own.  There He works and grows, takes possession of our being, draws our strength toward Himself, penetrates our thoughts and volition, and sways our emotions and sentiments, so that the word of the Apostle comes true:  ‘It is now no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me’ (Gal 2:20). ” – Msgr Romano Guardini, The Rosary of our Lady

5) Every sacrifice has merit.  Over and again you bear witness to the interior joy and benefit of keeping faithful to your committed day – even in the face of struggles and temptations to do otherwise. “One small act of obedience to God can sometimes cause us to make more progress spiritually than years of effort according to our own plans.  Fidelity to small graces draws down bigger ones.” – Fr Jacques Philippe, In the School of the Holy Spirit

6) Affecting others.  The sacrifice of these regular prayers are being noticed and affecting Seven Sisters families and even workplaces.  The proverbial pebble in the water affects many (in the seen and unseen).  Some connect their regular Holy Hours to recognizing that peace is spilling over into their home environs and others tell of more boldness of witness in the workplace.  Some have been inspired to encourage others to learn docility of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.  Some have sensed their call to the Apostolate through your generous witness.

7) Unity with other intercessors: in our group, in the diocese, in the world.  In 2010 when I began offering a Holy Hour for Fr Johnson, there was no Seven Sisters.  There was one person quietly and happily praying. Not until the nudge arrived and others joined alongside in 2011 did this become a reality of seven working together.  Many of you speak of special sensed graces that unite us as intercessors with our individual groups and even the Body of Christ at large. We need each other and the fidelity of each otherthat our prayers may be seamless. Our concerted prayers bring a perception of unity, and unity itself is sensed to be realized through our prayers.  May God’s generous Will and Way be esteemed!

My gratitude joins yours as we together seek our Eucharistic Lord and consider the benefits! Each of us can individually and together proclaim:

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with JOY in your PRESENCE,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand. – Psalm 16:11 (my emphasis)

United in prayer and mission –
that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest
… eternal gratitude as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day….  Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’  (St Mother Teresa of Calcutta)

Janette
+JMJ+

Greetings dearest Seven Sisters…

“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Jesus, St. Luke 5:4

Our dear Shepherds are far from land lubbers.  With faces set as flint (Is 50:7) they learn to peer both upon and beyond the water, studying  pleasantries and uncertainties alike, for the Master beckons them into the deep, where both are found.  By their assent they have inherited a mission.  They are altogether shepherds and fishers of men.  Christ’s love compels and guides.

The priest rightly finds his surest security for his ventures into the deep, cradled in a seaworthy craft, the barque of St Peter, the Church.  Its mast,  the cross. Its sails, billowed by the Holy Spirit. The milieu, oft fraught with waves of a relentless sea of disbelief, worldliness and persecution.  The image hearkens to a reminder of the security of Noah’s family during the flood (I Peter 3:20-21) and Jesus safeguarding Peter and the apostles on the stormy Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35-41).  Traditionally, one’s earthly life is seen as a pilgrimage, the ship of the Church transporting the faithful through the seas of the world to the heavenly home.

One thing of certitude: safety is aboard, not overboard.  Jumping ship, while perhaps considered, is not an option for longevity nor viability. Taking one’s eye off the course has its consequences, as well.  Being prepared for weather changes – good and not-so-good – is imperative.  Our priests need to be clear-headed, courageous, disciplined and authentic witnesses of hope – as they move through the courses of their days and nights. They are called to consistently live in that deeper space, that deeper realm.  The heart (of a priest) must be divorced from all that is not of God. (Canon T Guillard).

In the daily navigation, our dear Shepherds merit the constancy of our prayers.   And, in fact, rely on them.  They do not remain land lubbers – nor should we.  Let us take up the challenge of embarking on a close journey with our bishops and priests, to that deeper space, that deeper realm.  Let us offer the prayer coverage that responds to an awareness and experience of the challenges of traveling in the deep, asking for a lavishing of graces (Eph 1:7,8), come what may.

This path to which a priest is called is his designated path to sanctity.  May our prayers support God’s plans.  And in the beautiful way of God’s economy, his prayers support this same plan of God for our lives: sanctity.  As St Therese of Lisieux reminds, “You cannot be half a saint; you must be a whole saint or no saint at all.”  This is the goal of our prayers for our priests to whom we are committed to pray – sanctity – nothing more, nothing less.

“A saint is a man before he is a saint.  Yes, the saints were human as we ourselves are.  They were faced with the same difficulties, and temptations and wrestlings and agonies that confront us, and they dealt with them just as we do, only more bravely, and with a greater constancy and a more steadfast hope.  When we realise this, we feel that, at however great a distance, we still may dare to equate ourselves with them.  Sanctity is a goal to which there is no short cut, a temple to which there is no back entrance.  To it, there is but One Way – His, Who said of Himself, ‘I am the Way.'”  (from The Living Pyx of Jesus by a Religious, Pelligrini and Co., Australia, 1941)

St Teresa of Calcutta reminds that “Joy is the net of souls.”  May a constancy of joy fuel our actions of prayer for the priests to whom we are committed to pray.  May we, as Seven Sister intercessors, accept the assistance of graces as St Paul prays (Phil 2:2) to: …make (our) joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.  May we too, like our Shepherds, allow Christ’s love to compel and guide.

United in prayer and mission –
that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest
… eternal gratitude as you remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me each day….

Janette
+JMJ+

Madonna of the Grapes, pray for us!
St John Vianney, pray for us!
St Margaret Clitherow, pray for us!

Our benevolent Lord has continued to provide all that is needed, when it is needed for the Apostolate – this time in the person of a lovely hidden handmaid of the Apostolate, Mary, who designed a most beautiful Web space.  (And in the so-doing our Lord called her to start a new Seven Sister group and serve as Anchoress!) Experience the site for yourself and invite others to do the same! Find your group on the Google map!

The Apostolate spreadsheet (which now helps keep the Google map current!) is still in need of the most up-to-date information. Another lovely hidden handmaid of the Apostolate, Marg, will be contacting you if further information is needed or needs clarification. Her email is:  [email protected]. So if she comes knocking in your InBasket, let her in!

Trusting you have SAVED the DATE!

Third Annual SEVEN SISTERS Archdiocesan Gathering and time of Reflection
Saturday, November 5, 2016
First Saturday

St Patrick Catholic Church
19921 Nightengale St NW
Oak Grove, MN 55011
763/753-2011

www.st-patricks.org
Located at http://mapq.st/14bmq7c

***Registration begins at 8:30 am ***

Morning begins in the very best of ways:
Adoration – 9 am
Relic of St John Vianney available for veneration
Holy Mass – 10 am
Presider: Archbishop Bernard Hebda
Fr Joseph Johnson, Apostolate Chaplain, Pastor of Holy Family, St Louis Park
Fr Allan Paul Eilen, Pastor of St Patrick Catholic Church

Our time together will also include…

• Opening remarks by Archbishop Hebda
• Delicious Fall luncheon
• (free will offering)
• Reflection by Fr Joseph Johnson
• Apostolate updates, testimonies, Q&A
• Final Blessing at 2 pm

Items will be available for purchase.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE in SUBSEQUENT EMAIL

Seven Sister: One holy hour/one priest/each week/one heart of prayer

SAVE the DATE:  First Saturday, Nov 5, 2016
Seven Sisters Gathering
St Patrick ~ Oak Grove, MN
Details to happily follow
(Most likely: mid morning thru mid afternoon, incl holy Mass, lunch)

IMPORTANT:  Anchoresses – Many priest assignments changed in the Spring/Summer. Please send this info (if you have not already done so), to affirm your group is still active and to bring any changes to my attention.  Every group is important!

Return email: Seven Sisters Roster Info in subject line.  Supply this info:

Anchoress first/last name
Anchoress email, phone, postal address
Priest’s name
Priest’s position (Pastor, retired, Chaplain, rector, etc)
Parish name (or seminary, hospital, etc)
Location of parish (city/state) (Arch) Diocese
Date (originally in parish) Apostolate group began

Seven Sister: One holy hour/one priest/each week/one heart of prayer

Madonna of the Grapes, pray for us!
St John Vianney, pray for us!
St Margaret Clitherow, pray for us!