Greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ as we continue in Ordinary time in February toward the doorsill of Ash Wednesday (18th), then welcoming the fruitful season of Lent! All is seamlessly linked. After full Advent days of reflection upon the great fiat of Mary, in Lent we persist – now to consider our own responses, the good and not-so-good, alike. It is said that St Philip Neri once served a penitent this penance regarding gossip: she was to carry a feather pillow atop the church bell-tower and tear it open, scattering the contents to the wind. Following, she was to collect the feathers now strewn throughout the town. Clearly impossible! The saintly Fr Neri’s counsel underscored the far-reaching nature of malicious words. While the Lenten season challenges us to examine errant responses, perhaps the season can also lend insight into our beneficial responses – which also carry potentially far-reaching influence! Oh, that our souls may indeed magnify the Lord!
A priest-friend recently pointed out that the first fiat came from God. Fiat Lux. “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). Mary’s fiat (fiat mihi), “Let it be (done) to me” (Luke 1:38), was in reply to the messenger of God thus a response to God Himself. The link is evident! God’s fiat creates the dawn, new life. Mary’s fiat serves as conduit for the New Dawn, the Light of the world. While God’s fiat is a command, Mary’s is a response. In imitation, our replies, our fiats, to the askings of God, assent to cooperate in His will, His works, His life. This deeply resonates with Seven Sisters. Not only did the initial invitation to join God’s Work through this Apostolate arrive on the traditional feast of St Gabriel (24 March 2011), but the initial fiat was immediately dependent on other fiats. Likewise with Mary. St Joseph’s fiat to God’s call dovetailed Mary’s fiat. St John the Baptist, the Apostles, the women that followed Our Lord. All are allied. No Seven Sisters group commences with one intercessor, but necessitates others – and a priest or bishop too! This is the fiat we offer – to respond individually, in alliance, for another. Our fiat dovetails into the fiat of the priestly recipients of our prayers. Our sacrifices of prayer wonderfully bolster both. How perfectly suited as we each weekly rekindle our fiat with our prayers, spiritually alongside one another, and upheld by the love of the Sacrament of Unity!
Mary’s bold fiat was not a “one and done”, but rather a firm decision of offering her whole self in the present and toward the future. Her “yes” meant “yes” – today and tomorrow. The echo of her fiats reaches us. Despite not fully understanding the call, Mary’s faith guided and affirmed. Like Mary, Seven Sisters choose trust over certainty. We assent to the invitation to prayer compelled by a heavenly summons not our sense of competency. St John Paul II termed this receptivity a hallmark aspect of the feminine genius. Grace rouses both the fiat and the fulfillment. It is the opposite of self-assurance and assertion. We enter the Holy Hours dependent on the divine assistance of our Eucharistic Lord. This reality generates gratification and joy. The saintly Alphonsus de Ligouri explains, “Good friends find pleasure in one another’s company. Let us know pleasure in the company of our best Friend, a Friend who can do everything for us, a Friend who loves us beyond measure. Here in the Blessed Sacrament, we can talk to Him straight from the heart.” We surrender our need to understand in order to obey, or to see the fruit before we begin. Why would we hold back from God’s bidding?
Reverberations of Mary’s exalted fiat are far-reaching: “And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.” So too – what fruit has been born through the life of Christ through our fiats! Seven Sisters might offer a chorus of: And blessed is the fruit of our hearts, Jesus. Apostolate groups continue to steadily flourish (now in 36 countries), lavishing more prayer for more priests/bishops. Fiat begetting fiat is evident in the generous fruition of our Apostolate life through LAMP-BEARERS (daily prayer for the Apostolate at large); FASTING BROTHERS (men devoted to fasting for a priest/bishop); APPRECIATED and LOVED QUILT PROJECT (double cloaking of prayers and a quilt for retired/seriously ill priests); ELIJAH’s HELPERS (Holy Hours for priests in crisis) and PRO PACE (prayer for the souls of priests in Purgatory). What abundance!
Yet with all this conveyed and celebrated, the sterling fruit of our fiats can best be understood as cultivated in our interiors. What is witnessed on the outside has its sweet seed and bud on the inside. Truly, Our Lord is making all things new from the inside out! St Paul avows (Galatians 5:22-23) – and Seven Sisters generously reveal through their prayers for their priestly Brothers in Christ and in their individual lives – that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. How tenderly beautiful is the docility of Seven Sisters to the Holy Spirit Who has endowed the evidence of this fruit that will last. Seven Sisters have a consistent orientation to will the good of the other. This gives rise to a maturity of the life of the Holy Spirit within. Let us not shy from asking that those for whom we pray and ourselves too, may wholly grow in the fruit of the Spirit. This is our sure witness. Yes, perhaps this Lenten season will lend insight into this “good” in the recipients of our Holy Hours, the sisters we pray alongside and in ourselves. Sharing in the verve of the Fiat of Mary, let us hope to also share in her Magnificat that our souls magnify the Lord, and our spirits rejoice in God our Savior, for God has looked with favor on the lowliness of the Almighty’s servant(s).
United in prayer, fasting and mission…that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest Eternal gratitude continues as you each offer a daily wee Hail Mary for me. “One Ave Maria makes hell tremble” (St John Vianney). Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’ (St Teresa of Calcutta). Your emails, notes and calls always arrive to my heart door at the just the right moment! Financial sacrifices are for 100% furtherance of the Apostolate. Your letters of testimony are beautiful and edifying! What glory is given to God through them! Be assured of my continued daily prayers for you at the altar. – Janette (Howe) +JMJ+ 651-283-0929; 43 Nord Circle Rd, St Paul, MN 55127; sevensistersapostolate@gmail.com
SEVEN SISTERS – in and out and about:
Heartfelt welcome: NEW groups that registered in JANUARY to cover more priests in daily prayer: Additional groups in the Archdiocese of US Military Services, Italy, Spain and these USA states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. Internationally there are now nearing 6000 groups (of at least 7 intercessors – many have more) in 6 continents, 36 countries, all 50 USA states and most Provinces in Canada. Currently there are 9 groups for Pope Leo registered. More welcomed!
RECENT … and AHEAD on the calendar:
> Anticipated NEW HOLY CARD: The prayer offering for the priest is a beautiful, traditional invocation of the nine Choirs of Angels. Interested in creating a design for it? Contact Janette.
> REMINDER: that we are collecting Mysteries of the Rosary with reflections regarding priests. Can submit one or all 20 mysteries! Send to: Janette Howe, 43 Nord Circle Rd, St Paul, MN 55127. Plan to complete and submit by our Apostolate Inspiration Day – March 24!
> Gratitude to Lindsey, Tammie & team for a Seven Sister full-capacity-attendance of an overnight 30 Jan-1 Feb Retreat at St Felix Center (Huntington, IN), Diocese of Ft Wayne-South Bend.
> Link to quality Apostolate T-shirts (short & long sleeved and hoodies) Eye-catching monstrance design. https://www.bonfire.com/seven-sisters-apostolate OR sevensistersseattle@gmail.com
MATTERS of the HEART:
- “Rejoice with me! There are now seven women who have committed to praying an hour weekly for our priest! I feel so blessed to have been called to do this and I am so grateful for your support and encouragement. I do know that it is of God and because of that, it will continue!” (Kathy, Alabama)
- “All sisters are enjoying our solitude prayer before the Blessed Sacrament for our recipient. We feel close to him and to the apostolate through this. We’re going strong, along with you!” (Bernadette, South Carolina)
- “I heard about the Apostolate at a Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites meeting. I was interested right away and had the desire to go to as many churches as possible to tell others! l went straight to Saint Joseph, knelt, lit a candle and asked for help. My group was ready in a week and a half.” (Bernadette, Pennsylvania)
- “The mother of Fr. Ramirez contacted me about Seven Sisters. Even though we have the same last name (my Maiden name is Ramirez), we are not related. About 40 years ago, my brother was in seminary. He discerned out, along with a seminarian and good friend, Manuel. Manuel married Leticia, who then became Fr. Ramirez’s mother. Father was recently assigned to our parish. It is an honor to pray for him.” (Anita, Texas)
- “Our priests are under such ruthless attacks from the evil one, we must do everything we can to protect them. I love this Apostolate.” (Jan, Louisiana)
- “I have been greatly helped by prayers on my behalf in my own life and I am convinced that prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is powerful. I would like to organize a group to lift up this holy young priest in prayer.” (Mary Margaret, New York)
- “Thank you for all of the beautiful messages with the Communiques each month. I look for the email immediately at the first of the month when I wake up. They mean the world to us.” (Patti, Texas)
- “I was asked to sub for a sister who was sick for several months, and I absolutely loved praying a dedicated Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament for our pastor. A prayer I have been saying for priests for many years is one recommended by the Apostolate. I felt very connected in that way! When an Anchoress position became available, I was asked to discern. I felt so honored and humbled at being asked. Through prayer, I felt strongly that I was being called to serve in this capacity. With great joy, I accepted.” (Maria, Idaho)
ELIJAH’s HELPERS: Intercessors in this group are dedicated to offering Holy Hours for priests in various forms of crisis (no names known) within a particular Diocese. These special Hours for special circumstances carry special supportive graces. It is growing! Please consider this vital, hope-filled offering for our priests! Inquiries about stating a group: sevensistersapostolate@gmail.com
PRO PACE (Latin, for peace): In Nov 2024 an opportunity opened to pray for the souls of priests in Purgatory. Groups of seven are to band together. The commitment for each intercessor will be to attend holy Mass on one’s unique day every week and offer one’s personal Mass intention and personal Communion for the souls of priests in Purgatory. Anchoress: registration forms on the Website.
APPRECIATED and LOVED quilt project: A double cloaking for RETIRED PRIESTS: Seven Sisters prayer and a quilt! The priests love both! To learn more regarding a single quilt for a retired priest or on how to get this started in your Diocese, contact QuiltsBySevenSisters@gmail.com
FASTING BROTHERS is growing: Groups of men offering various forms of fasting to augment the prayer efforts of a Seven Sisters group. Each man prayerfully discerns the type of fasting he will offer and commits to fast a designated day of the week (excepting Sunday/Solemnities). Our Chaplain, strongly urges formation of these groups. Form on the Website for FB leader to register.
LAMP-BEARERS: Lamp-Bearers, so-named for their action of continually ‘filling of their lamps with the oil of prayer’, pray for the Apostolate at large. Each intercessor offers prayers of her choice every day, and prays for two unique countries to increase prayer efforts for priests. Intentions are gleaned from topics and calendar points in the Communique and sent to members on the second or third Sunday of the month. Additional intercessors ever-welcomed. Inquire through Website.
SEVEN SISTERS Guideline BOOKLETS: Available as free download from Web site. Hard copies passed on for printing cost of $2 each + P/H. Order thru Web email with amount desired/address
SEVEN SISTERS Tri-fold BROCHURE: Effectively used in parish pamphlet stands (ask pastor’s approval prior), Adoration Chapels, Retreat Centers, Bags/Packets for Women’s Conferences/Retreats, Women’s clubs, Serra clubs – or simply handing out! Available on Web as free download. Recommend 80# silk for best printing results. May also order through Web site. Indicate address/quantity. 50 cents each or 25 for $10 + P/H. Available in ENGLISH and SPANISH.
SEVEN SISTERS Tri-fold LITANY for PRIESTS: Beautifully printed on 100# silk (a bit thicker than brochures). Original artwork (inspired by the Diary of St Faustina) by Seven Sister in Minnesota, Litany by Richard Cardinal Cushing. 50 cents each or 25 for $10 + P/H.
REMEMBRANCE of those SEVEN SISTERS who have PASSED: We want to remember those Seven Sisters in name and in prayer, who have gone before us to their eternal rest. Visit the Web site. Click on ABOUT folder and scroll to bottom, choose: IN REMEMBRANCE. Follow prompts… OR you may submit info via the Website email. Please check site monthly for additions and to pray!
PRIEST who has PASSED to ETERNAL REST: If the priest for whom you pray has entered eternal life, the group may be led to continue to pray for a length of time for the soul of that priest. Perhaps a novena of Holy Hours or the offering of holy Mass(es) for the priest. You will know. Some groups have/are offering Holy Hours for an entire year for their beloved deceased priest. Groups may be started following the death of a priest that did not have a group prior. This is commendable and welcomed. Please register these special groups through the Web site.