PDF Version of Communiqué Oct 2025
Greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ in this month of so much! Our lands, our larders, and our liturgical calendars are brimming with bounty. October draws us together in celebration of a litany of saints, and all along the way we clutch our rosaries. Oh, glorious month dedicated to these mystery-laden beads of Our Lady!
None among us likely needs much convincing regarding taking up a rosary. Testimonies and encouragements fill bookshelves. Our own experiences undoubtedly fuel a desire for this familiar prayer. And while one does not have to offer even one rosary to gain entrance beyond the heavenly veil, those that practice the discipline and know its gains, could likely rally up a good argument for it. Many Seven Sisters, myself included, often (or always) offer a rosary as part of the Apostolate Holy Hour. Here we take Mary’s hand, already extended, and carry with us thoughts and intercessions for the priestly recipient of our prayer. Here Mary invites us to walk with this brother in Christ, beseeching graces that he lives more deeply in the ways of Her Son. Here Mary helps us sharpen both our vision and hearing that we may linger along the way to discover how to specifically pray for this specific priest/bishop. Here Mother Mary beckons us on the path she herself lived. Our Lord is present in every step. How opportune to take pause and offer freshly directed prayers for the recipient of our prayers as they relate to the Rosary’s mysteries and his life. Entering the prayers of the rosary as a little one and not the master, unrushed and for the benefit of another, proves a fruitful humility.
In the serene and striking Virgin of the Rosary, Flemish painter Massys, portrays Jesus as extending His Hand in an appeal to prayer. How fitting to us since the Work of Seven Sisters is His. Through it, His mission is for a greater conformity of His priestly Brothers to Himself. The eye-soothing golden tones of the bulk of the canvas achieve an even-richer depth from an intermingling of the vivid crimsons, also the color choice of the rosary. Sacrificial love begets heavenly reward – for them, for us. A fruit of Rosary meditation is a steady unfolding of an interior grasp of this high cost of union with God, making the Rosary ideal as we intreat sanctity for the priest/bishop for whom we pray. Truly, the more we pray, the more we grow in this immense love of God, and steadfastly desire it for “the other”.
In one of his sermons, Saint Augustine encouraged his listeners: “Do not have your heart in your ears, but your ears in your heart”. Recently Pope Leo XIV commented on this: “What do we need to do in order to practice how to listen with the ears of our heart? The world is full of noise, and our heads and hearts can be flooded with many different kinds of messages. These messages can fuel our restlessness and steal our joy. As a community of faith, striving to build a relationship with the Lord, may we strive to filter the noise, the divisive voices in our heads and hearts, and open ourselves up to the daily invitations to get to know God and God’s love better. When we hear that loving, reassuring voice of the Lord, we can share it with the world as we strive to become one in Him.” What sage advice as we work to listen more attentively as to how to pray for our priests. In many ways the Rosary can perfectly serve to help as we discover again and again its mysteries in light of Scripture, in harmony with the Liturgy and in the context of our daily lives (Pope JP II).
Sometimes meditations for the mysteries of the Rosary – or even for each Hail Mary – help us welcome reflective silence to listen more intently as to how to continue in prayer. In March 2026, we will be celebrating 15 years of the Inspiration Day of our Apostolate. In celebration, another invitation is extended. Prayerfully consider composing meditations for the Mysteries of the Rosary (or each Hail Mary) related to our prayers for priests, for compilation in a Booklet for use by Seven Sisters. Our goal: to publish seven sets of Reflections of the four Mysteries! Choose to offer all four of the Mysteries or one or two (which would be paired up with the offerings from others). Recently a group from Indiana sent us thought-provoking, beautiful Rosary mediations for priests using the Luminous Mysteries (posted on the Website). It was their gift that spurred this inspiration to solicit more as an offering of gratitude for the upcoming Anniversary of God’s Work!
The Rosary is both simple and complex, but always efficacious. The Fatima seer, Ven Lucia dos Santos summed it this way: “There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the power of the holy Rosary.” – Let us take up this challenge for our priests!
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+
SEVEN SISTERS – in and out and about:
Heartfelt welcome: NEW groups that registered in SEPTEMBER to cover more priests in daily prayer: Additional groups in Canada (Ottawa), England, the Philippines, the US Military Services and these USA states: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Internationally there are now over 5300 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 8 groups for Pope Leo registered. More welcomed!
RECENT … and AHEAD on the calendar:
> May-October: Champion Shrine’s Shepherd Project. A season of prayer for each and every Bishop in the USA. One daily prayer provided. To sign up: https://championshrine.org/shepherd-project/
> Gratitude to Lily for organizing a retreat for Spanish-speaking Seven Sisters (5-7 Sept) in Indiana.
> Gratitude to Maureen for organizing a Seven Sisters Retreat Day (20 Sept) in Virginia.
> Sat, 4 Oct: Day of Reflection. 8-2:30. Messages of Hope. Immaculate Conception, Pine City, MN. Open to all women! Incl Mass, Reflections (Fr Thomas, Doris, Janette), Testimonies, Lunch. $20. Contact: Doris: Doris.Schmidt@duluthcatholic.org
> Thurs, 9 Oct: 5 pm Mass, followed by light meal, presentation: The Privilege of Praying for Priests,
Q& A. (Janette). St. Thomas More Univ Parish (Norman, OK) All welcome! Brigid: brigid@stm-ou.org
> Sat, 11 Oct: 4th Annual Gathering & Retreat (Archdiocese Baltimore). St Louis, Clarksville, MD. 8:30-2:30. Mass, talks, lunch, Confessions. RSVP by Oct 3. Contact: sevensistersbaltimore@gmail.com
> Sat, 18 Oct: Day of Renewal. 8:30-2. $15. St Gregory the Great Seminary (Seward, NE). Incl Mass, Panel of Priests, Talk (Janette), Testimonies, Seminary tour. Rhonda: sevensisterslincoln@gmail.com
> Sat, 25 Oct: Retreat. 8-3. St. Andrew (Gladstone, MO). Diocese of KCSJ. “Everything is Coming Up Roses!” Mass, lunch, reflections (Fr Schneider/Judy/Janette). $25. Judy: sevensisterskcsj@gmail.com
> Sat, 25 Oct: Seven Sisters Fellowship event. Walk with One. St Raphael (Bay Village, OH). 12-5:30 pm. Incl lunch, Adoration, Mass, Guest Speaker. No charge. RSVP Anne Marie: 440-336-2025.
> Sat, 1 Nov: 12th Annual Reflection/Renewal (St P-Mpls). The Holy Influence of Beauty. Maternity of Mary, St Paul. 8-2:30. Holy Mass (Archbsp Hebda presider), Priest schola, talks (Frs Johnson, Andrie, Howe), Vintage vestment display, Lunch, Testimonies. $30. Contact sevensistersstpaul@gmail.com
>Sat, 8 Nov: Day Retreat/fellowship. Heritage Retreat Center (Crawfordville, GA) Mass celebrant: Bsp Ned Schlesinger. Curbing Distractions in Prayer (Janette). Contact: ahailey@archatl.com
> 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:
- “My mother is a Seven Sister at my home parish. Her zeal for this Apostolate inspired me to continue it while I am at school. I am a cradle Catholic, who thankfully found a deeper meaning for the faith in college, and this group will continue to assist me in my spiritual journey.” (Kismet, Florida)
- Added to a Remembrance page submission: “Rosalie was a shut in and unable to participate in church ministries. She was so grateful to be able to participate in this ministry. She loved the priest she prayed for. We miss her.” (Susan, Maryland)
- “I wanted to ‘serve’ God, but I was very busy between work, school, and 5 sons, and when I saw the Seven Sisters announcement on the bulletin, I knew that’s where I could start. It has been a year already! Some weeks were more difficult than others, but I believe through quietly serving in prayer, not only was it helping Father, but it brought me and my family a lot of graces and blessings too. I would like to continue to serve quietly in the background, knowing God is there listening.” (Diana, Nebraska)
- “Hello! I’ve been a Seven Sister for over two years and the former anchoress moved to a new town and asked me to take over. It has been a joy, blessing and honor to pray for our parish pastor these past few years and we pray that with the Holy Spirit’s help, we will keep this ministry going strong.” (Suzanne, New York)
- “I believe that prayer for priests is the greatest gift we can give to the Church and our most important duty as laity, apart from our basic obligations as Catholics. I have a brother who is a priest as well, so this makes me even more keenly aware of this need! We have witnessed several really good changes in our parish since we began the Seven Sisters!” (Stephanie, California)
- “I’ve been in this Apostolate for several years. I love that this is a ministry that is quiet and prayerful. It is with great honor that I continue to pray to strengthen priests …it is so beautiful and rewarding.” (Judi, Ohio)
ELIJAH’s HELPERS: Intercessors in this group are dedicated to offering Holy Hours for priests in various forms of crisis (no names known). These are special Hours for special circumstances and carry special supportive graces. It is growing! Please consider this vital, hope-filled offering for our priests! All inquiries about stating a group: sevensistersapostolate@gmail.com
PRO PACE (Latin, for peace): In Nov 2024 an opportunity opened to pray for the souls of priests in Purgatory. Groups of seven are to band together. The commitment for each intercessor will be to attend holy Mass on one’s unique day every week and offer one’s personal Mass intention and personal Communion for the souls of priests in Purgatory. Anchoress: registration forms on the Website.
APPRECIATED and LOVED quilt project: A double cloaking for RETIRED PRIESTS: Seven Sisters prayer and a quilt! The priests love both! To learn more regarding a single quilt for a retired priest or on how to get this started in your Diocese, contact QuiltsBySevenSisters@gmail.com
FASTING BROTHERS is growing: Groups of men offering various forms of fasting to augment the prayer efforts of a Seven Sisters group. Each man prayerfully discerns the type of fasting he will offer and commits to fast a designated day of the week (excepting Sunday/Solemnities). Our Chaplain, strongly urges formation of these groups. Form on the Website for FB leader to register.
LAMP-BEARERS: Lamp-Bearers, so-named for their action of continually ‘filling of their lamps with the oil of prayer’, pray for the Apostolate at large. Each intercessor offers prayers of her choice every day, and prays for two unique countries to increase prayer efforts for priests. Intentions are gleaned from topics and calendar points in the Communique and sent to members on the second or third Sunday of the month. Additional intercessors ever-welcomed. Inquire through Website.
SEVEN SISTERS Guideline BOOKLETS: Available as free download from Web site. Hard copies passed on for printing cost of $2 each + P/H. Order thru Web email with amount desired/address.
SEVEN SISTERS Tri-fold BROCHURE: Effectively used in parish pamphlet stands (ask pastor’s approval prior), Adoration Chapels, Retreat Centers, Bags/Packets for Women’s Conferences/Retreats, Women’s clubs, Serra clubs – or simply handing out! Available on Web as free download. Recommend 80# silk for best printing results. May also order through Web site. Indicate address/quantity. 50 cents each or 25 for $10 + P/H. Available in ENGLISH and SPANISH.
SEVEN SISTERS Tri-fold LITANY for PRIESTS: Beautifully printed on 100# silk (a bit thicker than brochures). Original artwork (inspired by the Diary of St Faustina) by Seven Sister in Minnesota, Litany by Richard Cardinal Cushing. 50 cents each or 25 for $10 + P/H.
REMEMBRANCE of those SEVEN SISTERS who have PASSED: We want to remember those Seven Sisters in name and in prayer, who have gone before us to their eternal rest. Visit the Web site. Click on ABOUT folder and scroll to bottom, choose: IN REMEMBRANCE. Follow prompts… OR you may submit info via the Website email. Please check site monthly for additions and to pray!
PRIEST who has PASSED to ETERNAL REST: If the priest for whom you pray has entered eternal life, the group may be led to continue to pray for a length of time for the soul of that priest. Perhaps a novena of Holy Hours or the offering of holy Mass(es) for the priest. You will know. Some groups have/are offering Holy Hours for an entire year for their beloved deceased priest. Groups may be started following the death of a priest that did not have a group prior. This is commendable and welcomed. Please register these special groups through the Web site.
SPANISH translation of Communique: Posted (and archived) on the Website. The translation link is sent with every Communique. Commitment Prayer/Guidelines Booklet in Spanish (on the Website – free download)