Greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ – By shapes, color, text and images a logo portrays and hopes to beckon a pause in the onlooker to consider something. For Seven Sisters, our emblem splendidly conveys what we hold central in our lives as Catholics and what we do about that.
This logo made its debut in March 2020. While the prayerful work commenced in 2017, little materialized. In 2020 the project resurrected. The directions remained: the Eucharist and monstrance must be prominent and a bit of blue included somewhere/somehow to honor Our Lady.
Since the title Seven Sisters denotes a myriad of things: from a waterfall in Norway to sea cliffs in the English Channel to a boutique in Iowa to a cluster of colleges in Northeastern USA to an almond custard pastry from Wisconsin, it seemed essential to differentiate who we are. Utilizing the word Apostolate served as a start. While some logos flash a single letter or monogram, this was not for us. A vital lower line visually balances the image while succinctly unfolding the trifecta of God’s Work through us: Holy Hours that are for priests and united! The circular arc of the words echoes both the round Host and fuller icon. Hinting toward concentric circles that result from a pebble in water, so too the Apostolate embraces its life in, with and through the Eucharistic Presence.
Despite the substantial breadth of pattern, Our Eucharistic Lord foremost attains the eye of the beholder here. The image at times seems to glow with life, the black and white version especially. Mission accomplished in this element of the design because indeed He is our mission!
The hands, incorporated by the artist’s inspiration, present as a pleasing aspect. At first glance, they might resonate as looming, collective hands of the Seven Sisters making their united offering to Our Eucharistic Lord. A prolonged reflection might reveal a portrayal of the hands of a priest or maybe of God Himself, whose work this is. Perhaps it is the hands of Our Lady or our patrons alongside us. In the spirit of St Therese, “I want them all!” And so, it seems to be. It is both, and, all!
The seven arched stars at the bottom are a rich embellishment. While they might signal to the three Scripture references to Pleiades (the star cluster also known as Seven Sisters), they visually represent the cluster of seven intercessors needed for the Apostolate work in the seven days of the week. Thoughts also easily move to the gospel of St John, chapter 15, when Jesus reminds us – 7 times! – to abide in Him and His love. This is the way of the Apostolate Holy Hours, abiding. How fitting that the stars are transparent and in the place of humility, as the Magdalene, at the feet of Our Lord.
Color use in design goes beyond aesthetic appeal. It can serve as a core communicator in a logo, denoting seriousness, lightheartedness, timelessness, innovation. Here the blue hearkens toward Our Lady in its brilliant use of every shade of blue, in which Our Lady has been depicted through art imagination and apparition testimonies. Every Holy Hour we ask the Lord to deepen the devotion of the priest/bishop for whom we pray, to Mary. It was essential this be represented in the design. Color was a strong and sure way to accomplish this. Last November at the annual St Paul-Mpls Archdiocesan Reflection and Renewal, Seven Sisters in attendance were invited to wear blue in honor of Our Lady on that First Saturday. And indeed, every shade of blue was donned in magnificence!
Love bears fruit! Two generous gifts have been bestowed to us recently related to the logo. Seven Sister, Bev C (North Dakota), allowed her appreciation of this Apostolate to meet with her God-given skills as a quilter. She beautifully appliqued the logo (and every individual letter!) along with 3D applications of the Hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, on a slim white banner fit for use at a podium or stand-alone display. Seven Sister, Ellen U (Minnesota), a superb vestment seamstress by trade, perfectly fashioned every detail of the logo and words through machine embroidery. How fitting that she utilized the same fabric and threads used to make priestly vestments! She created a pocket for the 12 X12 piece and inserted Plexiglas for suspension from a podium or as a table-top display on an icon stand. May the Lord richly reward you, Bev and Ellen, and bless the work of your hands!
So much generosity surrounds, inspires and perpetuates this work! At my behest Craig G started the logo design process. Together a hiatus was discerned. Several months later, with his whole-hearted permission and blessing, Amanda D continued, leaving some of the elements from the initial work. The two were connected by Annie W. Later Bev and Ellen would independently take this work and fashion beautiful gifts using the logo as inspiration. What a grace that God allowed so many to be His co-workers in these endeavors! While the concrete things help inspire and beautify, the invisible sacrifices of your weekly offerings are eternal gifts! St JP II (Feast Day: Oct 22), affirms us to be generous in our sacrifices of prayers for our shepherds: “The Church and the world have a great need of Eucharistic worship. Jesus waits for us in this sacrament of Love. Let us be generous with our time in going to meet Him in adoration and in contemplation that is full of faith and ready to make reparation for the great faults and crimes of the world. May our adoration never cease.”
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…. “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 kind emails and notes and phone calls and generous support always arrive to my heart door at the right moment! Your financial sacrifices are for 100% furtherance of Apostolate. THANK YOU! The letters of testimony are so beautiful and edifying! What glory is given to God through your writing! Eternal gratitude is mine for YOU! Be assured of my continued daily prayers for you at the altar.
Janette (Howe)