“For it is in giving that we receive.” – St Francis of Assisi
Most of us have likely received a gift that has overwhelmed our heart either because of its extravagance, an element of surprise or a grace of insight into the bigness of heart from which it was given. In the Spring of 2013 I was recipient to a gift that inundated my heart by all three! My daughter quite unexpectedly sent me a round-trip airline ticket to Rome. A note was attached: “Go to Rome and spend some Mom-time with Spencer. After May 25 (his Ordination date),he will belong to the Church.” This gift of love reduced me to a silence… and several tissues-ful of tears. That week abroad unfolded a gift of seemingly endless giving and receiving. I will bless you so you will be a blessing (Genesis 12:2). Even now, when I recall the memories and graces of that week – and alongside them, the particulars of my daughter’s sacrifices of love and finances and time in planning (she missed no details!), – the gift indeedperpetuates a lovely mystery of giving and receiving. Truly, truly… love is the lasting thing.
Each week each of you is that giver of a gift that lavishes, a gift that comes by great sacrifices of time and discipline and patience. In quietness and trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15). Each week the recipient of that gift is likely overwhelmed in heart by the extravagance and surprise and bigness of heart of your gift. The ensuing marvel is that you and he alike are blessed to be a blessing. In that giving, both receive – ah, that wonderful, paradoxical life we live and profess as Christians. Through the beautiful fidelity of united efforts of seamless prayer by each circle of Seven Sisters, much is wrought – for each intercessor, the recipient of her prayer offerings, and the Church beyond. All are strengthened.
And here is another gift for you …. Savor this sampling of remarks from priests in response to your sacrifices of prayer. Listen to the merit of your gift of prayer, a prayer that lavishes and bears fruit, fruit that will last (John 15:16)…
“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. I like that, whenever I have a particular need or prayer request, I can call upon these dear, faithful sisters in Christ. 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.”
“The power of prayer is real and effective. I’ve felt it. And it’s great to know that so many people are praying for me in particular. God bless you.” -Fr. Nick VanDenBroeke
“I am so grateful for the prayers of the Seven Sisters. Every now and then I experience an attack by the Evil One in one form or another. I always say a prayer. But I also know that the Seven Sisters are praying for me daily. Usually within a day, I can sense that the attack is over. Your prayers are SO POWERFUL! With much gratitude, A Twin Cities pastor”
“Thank you for all your prayers. The Lord truly uses them. Thank you for your hidden gift of grace from your gift of prayer.”
“I am grateful for your prayers. It allows the Lord to sustain and bear fruit in and through His priests.” -In Christ, Fr Jon Vander Ploeg
“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.” Pastor from St Paul
“It’s a comfort knowing that one of the Seven Sisters is praying for me every day. I know I benefit from their prayers in many ways, some of which I’m probably unaware. … 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!”
“I take consolation and strength from knowing that I am being prayed for each day during a prayer hour.”
“I have very much felt the power of people praying for me since I began a new assignment. There was so much to do …I have felt the strong hand of support that comes through prayer and I know strong commitment of the Seven Ladies group and many others who have been praying for me. I appreciate the efforts of all those who pray for me. I hope my prayers are sufficient to return the grace.”
“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”
Dear sisters in Christ, if we but knew the width and depth of worth of every breath of our prayers, the benefit of our perseverance through challenges and distractions, the merit of every silent and uttered prayer of generosity of love toward our priests and bishops for whom we are committed to pray. Be encouraged. Take heart that your efforts are finding reward!
Like the woman in Portaels painting above, who prudently chooses the proper rose, continue to choose your prayer offerings well and with peace of heart. Submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit – and trust. Let us say with heartfelt confidence, like St Ignatius of Loyola, “God, I give it all to you. Give me only your grace and your love. That is enough.”
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….
“Thou that hast given so much to me, Give me 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
Being grateful is getting a lot of attention these days as research links gratitude with positive emotional well-being, a protection against some anxieties and depressions, an aid to better sleep and the underpinning of happier relationships. This is not news to the Christian, who makes gratitude a way of life and has long known its benefits. After all, the word Eucharist itself means thanksgiving. Our Eucharistic life is thus meant as a life of thanksgiving.
While the modern may cultivate gratitude by attending the rising number of employee gratitude training classes, we are wise to learn from the One to Whom our gratitude is directed. While we might experience the aforementioned benefits, greater still is the benefit of an increased knowledge, love and service of our Lord – and out of that, of others – and especially those for whom we are called to pray.
We do well to allow our sacramental and prayer lives to grow and swell a generous wellspring of gratitude within. Our Lord reminds through St Paul, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Phil 4:6-7. As we present our weekly concerns and intercessions for the priest or bishop for whom we are committed to pray, let us take heed to this intentional action of exchanging anxieties for thankful prayer and petition. The promised result is the transcendent, protective peace of God!
Our fidelity to prayer each week is likely not immediately met with the evidence of the fruit of that prayer. Morgan’s painting of The Apple Gatherers (Is that Seven Sisters and one sub on the ladder that I see?) depicts an abundance of produce that calls for a large, stretched bed linen to accommodate. The baskets are full to overflowing, too big for the little ones to lift without sweaty efforts. The ground bears even more fruit, with the threat of being unnoticed. But this plenitude of apples did not spring up overnight. The tree needed to live its yearly natural cycle to bear its harvest. So too with our prayer offerings.
So let us be content, at peace, with the steadiness and the simplicity of the faithfulness of offering our weekly Holy Hours of prayers and allow the fruit to be harvested when and as the Lord deems fitting. Our charge remains to Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – I Thes 5:16-18. St Vincent de Paul reinforces the point, “We should spend as much time in thanking God for His benefits as we do in asking Him for them.”
Let us allow God to nurture an increased gratitude in the action of our prayer offerings that are generated by His love for us and for His priests. God’s economy is an inevitable win-win – for us and the beneficiaries of our prayers. We rely on His love for all that we are and do.
In light of our call to pray in this way, let us ponder the words of Pope Francis earlier today on this Solemnity of Christ the King, in the special Mass in Rome which also marked the closing of the Year of Mercy:
“A people who are holy… who have Jesus as their King, are called to follow His way of tangible love. They are called to ask themselves, each one each day: ‘What does love ask of me, where is it urging me to go? What answer am I giving Jesus with my life?’ …. Because even if the Holy Door closes, the true door of mercy which is the Heart of Christ always remains open wide for us. From the lacerated side of the Risen One until the very end of time flow mercy, consolation and hope.”
Pope Francis concluded in a way so deeply fitting to our Seven Sisters Apostolate, reminding us to entrust ourselves daily to Mary, Mother of Mercy, for “in every situation we are in, in every prayer we make, when lifted up to His merciful eyes, (she) will find an answer.”
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….
“In failing to confess, Lord, I would only hide You from myself, not myself from You.” – St Augustine
Somewhere along the time line of ‘finding the perfect gift’ for newly ordained priests, my husband, Jeff, and I settled in on confessional stoles. Jeff, a devotee of Pope St Pius V, discovered this prayer of the saintly Pontiff, which moved us to this decision: “Only give us good confessors, and reform of the Christian people is assured.” Years later, Pope Benedict XVI echoed this in making the point that the New Evangelization begins in the confessional. Today, Pope Francis stresses, “Don’t be afraid of confession. When someone is in line for confession he feels all these things – even shame – but then, when he finishes confession, he leaves (feeling) free, great, beautiful, forgiven, clean, happy.”
And so it follows that if reform is to happen, penitents need to avail themselves to the sacrament. The sacrament demands personal involvement and intention, as in the words of St Augustine, “the Lord who created us without us does not save us without us.” Our Lord awaits our assent to the sacramental plan of our Catholic lives. A priest at his post in the confessional is silently awaiting, witnessing and promising every sinner the availability and merciful love of Jesus Christ. Dorothy Day admonishes, “You do not want to make too much of your constant imperfections and venial sins, but you want to drag them out to the light of day as the first step in getting rid of them.” And the sweet paradox of the faith is that the brightest light of day is located in the dimly lit confessional box. Oh, how I love the Church and her ways!
Fr Peter John Cameron, O.P, in an editorial in Magnificat magazine (April 2013), highlights the icon of our Apostolate as he points out that “a model for the graces of the sacrament of penance is the sinful woman with the alabaster flask … for the woman, the attraction of Jesus Christ in that dining room was greater than her attachment to her sin. Faith is acknowledging an exceptional Presence that changes us.” And we know how this scenario plays out. Jesus fully accepts her offering and absolves her with the words, “Your sins are forgiven… Your faith has saved you, go in peace.” We too have heard these words to soothe and mend our own torn, aching and bruised souls. The priest is a chosen conduit for special graces that can bring each of us to a greater knowledge of ourselves, to arouse contrition and desire conversion. His words and gestures serve as sacramental means of realizing the free gift of grace upon grace. The result is conversion and peace.
As Seven Sister intercessors we have a dual privilege of praying for the Good: praying for good confessors and also for ourselves: “bless me Father, that I might make a good confession”. Especially in this extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, let us avail ourselves to this powerful sacrament. Most certainly our lives will bear witness to the graces of the Sacrament, and our prayers will bear witness of the graces too! How much more clearly are we able to listen, to see, to charitably respond in our prayer times with a clean heart and these extra showers of graces. The priests to whom we are committed to pray will undoubtedly benefit. As we avail ourselves of frequent confessions and frequent communions we enrich our interior lives and enrich the fountain of prayer that rises from within. May we too sense as did convert-to-the-Faith St Elizabeth Ann Seton, “I felt as if my chains fell, as those of St Peter at the touch of the Divine messenger. My God, what new scenes for my soul!”
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+
Still time to register:
Saturday, Nov 5, retreat at St Patrick’s in Oak Grove, MN.
Respond to your anchoress with your name, names of any guests, priest you are praying for, priest’s parish/location. I will in turn send all details of the day’s schedule to you w/acknowledgement.
“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)
WINSLOW HOMER
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: marg2@comcast.net. 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
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
Seven Sister: One holy hour/one priest/each week/one heart of prayer
Greetings dearest Seven Sisters…
“The best consolation is the next prayer.” – St. Padre Pio
When I arrived for holy Mass yesterday at the Missionaries of Charity Chapel in Minneapolis, Sr Dominique flashed that familiar generous smile and, without a word, held her hands like an open book. This is the MC gesture of request to lector. I accepted.
The Ezekiel reading was a pointed and stinging admonition of priests: both difficult to read and to hear, and the type of reading that awaits the homily to help sort it all out for both mind and heart. The priest did not disappoint and offered a masterful homily. His reflections stayed with me. They wove in and out of my thoughts for much of the day, especially in relation to the weekly task set before each Seven Sister to pray for her shepherd. Every Hour is important!
This morning I happened upon a thought-provoking reflection by Msgr Charles Pope regarding the very same passage. Later, our son, Fr Spencer, paid a visit home and I took the opportunity to get his view of the passage and its significance then and now.
Today is my Seven Sister day. I carried the strength of that Scripture passage, the homily, the article and my son’s comments and visit – all the way to the Adoration Chapel this evening. I couldn’t arrive quick enough to meet our Lord in my prayers. My sense of mission and duty seemed to crescendo with every block of travel. As I began the Hour entrusting Father _____ and the time to the Lord, I was met with a deeper sense of the grace upon grace of these Holy Hours.
On return, I received an email from Terri, an Anchoress in Minnesota, who passed on the Msgr Pope article to all of her Seven Sisters members and included me on the send list. My second grade teacher, Sr Catherine Ann, remains right, “Repetition is the mother of learning.”
Oh, dearest Sisters, we have such a privileged call to pray for our priests and bishops. Their responsibilities are immense. The stakes are high: eternity! The warfare is fierce and relentless. Know that you know that every ounce of our offering is utilized. Our lack of enthusiasm at times, the pesky distractions, the unexpected consolations – all have merit, as we fully and freely offer them all for the sake of that other.
Every morning know that we meet at the altar. I offer you and your prayer efforts at the time of the consecration of the Bread. This coupled with the strength of your actual Holy Hours truly allows us to anticipate sure answers to our prayers and the certain good of our benevolent Lord’s perfect and precise workings. May all of our prayers be pleasing to God.
Take time today or this weekend to savor this article of Msgr Pope (and perhaps say a wee Hail Mary for him too!)
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 Holy Mary for me each day….
Janette
+JMJ+
FLAMMA VESTALIS (1896) ~ SIR EDWARD COLEY BURNE-JONES
REMINDER: SAVE the DATE:
First Saturday, Nov 5, 2016
Seven Sisters Day of Recollection
St Patrick ~ Oak Grove, MN
Details to happily follow
(Most likely: mid morning thru mid afternoon, incl holy Mass, lunch, testimonies and as always – a few surprises!)
IMPORTANT: Anchoresses
Still needing this info from all of you to update our rosters. The Lord has sent someone – Mary – to help with a re-design of the Web site. Among other things, it will include a map of all the existing groups. Every group is important! Daily prayers for every priest is important! Please supply this info and return email to Janette:
Anchoress first/last name
Anchoress email, phone, postal address
Priest’s full name (first/last)
Priest’s position (Pastor, retired, Chaplain, rector, Associate, etc)
Parish name (or seminary, hospital, Chancery title, etc)
Location of parish (city/state)
(Arch) Diocese
Date Apostolate group began (if known)
Madonna of the Grapes, pray for us!
St John Vianney, pray for us!
St Margaret Clitherow, pray for us!
“Real love is demanding. I would fail in my mission if I did not tell you so. Love demands a personal commitment to the will of God.”
– Pope St John Paul II
Greetings dearest Sisters…
The appointed calendar time meets our heart readiness! The reward of our time of discernment in the month of May regarding the Seven Sisters Apostolate now encounters the reality of the time of commitment. New beginnings and renewals hold great things.
Please let your Anchoress know today (if you haven’t already) whether you will continue with the Apostolate or depart from its schedule and commitment. To both those continuing or departing – eternal gratitude. Every breath of prayer has merit.
The founding Chaplain of the Apostolate, Fr Joseph Johnson, has composed a beautiful prayer for your commitment/re-commitment. The prayer is below. Keep spreading the good news about this Apostolate! The winds of the Holy Spirit blow where they may….
United in prayer and mission –
that our prayers may find the hearts of every bishop and priest
Janette+JMJ+
Madonna of the Grapes, pray for us!
St John Vianney, pray for us!
St Margaret Clitherow, pray for us!
Prayer of one’s personal annual commitment to fidelity of prayer
within the guidelines of the Seven Sisters Apostolate.
Composed by Fr Joseph Johnson, Archdiocese of St Paul-Mpls
The prayer may also be easily adapted for use any time when forming a new Seven Sisters group outside of the month of June.
O Jesus,
You perfectly revealed the Merciful Love
of Your Sacred Heart on the Cross.
At the Last Supper You gave us the sacraments of the Holy Eucharist
and of Holy Orders to perpetuate Your Loving Presence in our midst.
Help us to keep a sense of awe and gratitude
at Your hidden presence in the Host
and respect for how You come to us through
the human instruments of priests and bishops.
On this Your feast and the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests,
I, __________ (your name),
commit myself to making an hour in Your Eucharistic Presence
each week for the coming year
to intercede for and raise up before Your throne
_____________ (name of priest/bishop)
begging for him:
Strength when he is tired or weak,
Perseverance when the spirit of prayer or apostolic zeal wanes,
Guidance when he is discerning or lost,
Consolation when he is suffering,
Hope when the sacrifices seem too heavy,
And manifold blessings upon him and his ministry.
Give me the grace to be like Our Lady and Saint Mary Magdalene,
faithful at the foot of the Cross.
May I be selfless and humble in this work of adoration
and in all the ways you lead me as Your disciple.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on our Holy Father Pope Francis,
Have mercy on _________ (name of priest/bishop),
Have mercy on all bishops and priests,
Have mercy on me and all Seven Sisters,
Have mercy on the whole world!
