Communique Sept 2025 in PDF format
Greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ! As toddlers we likely all reveled in that unremitting climb up Mama’s or Papa’s legs onto their lap or into their arms. Triumph met with welcoming hugs. So too, we collectively bear a relentless interior longing of an ascent toward God. In his Confessions, St Augustine affirms: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Sacred Scripture highlights mountains as both symbol and reality of that journey to God. In the beginning, God dwelt and walked with us in Eden, situated on His holy mountain (Ezekiel 28:14). There heaven touched earth. Man’s choices expelled him, but mountains remain a link toward a renewal of heaven touching earth. Noah, Abraham, Moses and Elijah all met God on the mountain. Jesus proved mountaineer too. On them He was tempted, preached, prayed, healed, was Transfigured, in agony, bore the Cross and showed Himself Risen. Quite worth pondering in these meetings and moments are who was summoned, who responded, the trek to get there, and the return route too.
Our Catholic tradition is beautifully woven with this “lofty” Scriptural influence. Early temples and tabernacles, both modeled after Eden, portrayed their petit-mountains in the form of an altar. No Catholic Church is without its altar, its mountain. Most of our Churches invite us to begin a physical ascent by entrance steps to the front doors. Sanctuaries echo this with more steps leading the priest to the altar-mountain. Sacred Scriptures and homilies are traditionally proclaimed in an elevated ambo. At every Mass the priest calls us to lift up our hearts and join him in these heights. Yes, heaven touches earth here! And more… Did you know the platform a monstrance rests upon is called a tabor? Hearkening to the Transfigured Christ on Mt. Tabor (Matthew 17), the tabor elevates Jesus, bidding us to behold the radiance and glory of God emanating from His Eucharistic Presence. Oh, dear Seven Sisters, how often we come to the mountains! Scripture reminds that Our Lord calls His own to join Him there (see Mark 3:13 above), awakening our senses sometimes through the likes of thunder and cloud, sometimes in whisper.
This month (September 7, the vigil of Mary’s birthday) Pope Leo XIV will canonize Bl. Carlo Acutis and Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati. Pier Giorgio prized mountain climbing, drawing many parallels between this passion and his Catholic life. He regularly organized excursions with friends as occasions for prayer, liturgies, and conversations about faith on the way up to and down from the summit. A month before he died, a photo portrays him during a tough climb, clinging to a rugged crag. On the photo, he wrote, “Verso l’Alto”—to the heights. Posthumously, it serves as a fitting motto of his pursuit of holiness.
In a Sept 2023 article in The Catholic Gentleman, Fr John Nepil (Denver, CO) unfolds the meaning of Verso l’Alto (my bolding added). “Verso is an Italian preposition often translated as to or towards. It is not a verb concerning action, but instead a preposition concerning orientation. … Alto is used as both an adjective meaning high, as well as a noun meaning height. The latter, used by Frassati, is significant because it is not the word for a physical mountain summit, which is la cima. It is also interesting to note that Alto is used in the Liturgy, which may be the way that Frassati, a daily communicant, came to consider the notion. As the priest prepares for the Eucharist Prayer, he says to the congregation, “In alto i nostri cuori” (literally to the heights, our hearts; in the English Missal translated as lift up your hearts). … This famous maxim (Verso l’Alto), properly understood, articulates something to be done while climbing. It expresses the Eucharistic heart in a body that climbs, and a soul that remains spiritually oriented towards a different summit – the height of Heaven. …”
Seven Sisters Apostolate offers an orientation and discipline of prayer that moves us toward and bring us “to the heights”. Our regularity of meeting Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, seeking His guidance and love for another, and unreservedly pouring out our sacrifices of prayer serve to embody an orientation that genuinely and deeply seeks holiness for another. Yes, the “heights” for another. All this is fueled by our collective, flourishing Eucharistic hearts. A spiritual bond between Seven Sisters in intercession in both jubilation in hope and compassion in suffering for the better for our brothers in Christ brings a sense of sweetness and lightness that enables us to experience the heights. Indeed, how often there is more to the place we are in, and to the people we are with, than we realize.
As wiggly toddlers at the knees of our parent, we wanted “up, up, up” – to be closer to our source of love – nearer the deep look of their eyes and whispers of love – and finally, in exhaustion of the journey, to rest our head near the heart. As Seven Sisters, let us remain little ones. As we make our weekly journey to and into our Holy Hours, the Lord is with us, He accompanies. Let us seek to know His eyes, His whisper and experience a leaning upon His Heart. Therein in each week’s journey He calls us “to the heights” for the concerns and aches and celebrations of the priest/bishop for whom we pray. As the psalmist encourages: I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2). As Isaiah encourages: I will bring these to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples (Isaiah 56:7). Dearest sisters in Christ, be not afraid – of the heights!
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+ sevensistersapostolate@gmail.com
SEVEN SISTERS – in and out and about:
Heartfelt welcome: NEW groups that registered in AUGUST to cover more priests in daily prayer: Additional groups in Cameroon (Africa), Guatemala, Ontario (Canada), the Philippines and these USA states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Internationally there are now over 5200 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/
> Fri-Sun, 5-7 Sept: Overnight (2 nights) retreat for Spanish-speaking Seven Sisters. $150. St Felix Center. 1280 Hitzfield St. Huntington, IN. Contact Lily: Apostolado7Hermanas@gmail.com
> Sat, 20 Sept: Richmond Seven Sisters Retreat Day. “Thanksgiving”. St Bridget (Richmond, VA). 9-3. Mass, Meditations, Confession, Holy Hour, Lunch. Contact: sevensistersrichmond@gmail.
> Sat, 4 Oct: Day of Reflection. 8 am-2:30 pm. Messages of Hope. Immaculate Conception, Pine City, MN. Open to all women! Incl Mass, Reflections (Fr Thomas, Doris, Janette)/Testimonies, Lunch. $20. Contact: Doris.Schmidt@duluthcatholic.org
> Thurs, 9 Oct: 5 pm Mass, followed w/light meal, presentation: The Privilege of Praying for Priests, Q& A. (Janette). St. Thomas More Univ Parish (Norman, OK) Contact: 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: St Gregory the Great Seminary (Seward, NE) Rhonda: sevensisterslincoln@gmail.com
> Sat, 25 Oct: Retreat. 8-3. St. Andrew (Gladstone, MO). “Everything is Coming Up Roses!” Mass, lunch, reflections (Fr Schneider/Judy/Janette). $25. Judy Koster sevensisterskcsj@gmail.com
> 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
MATTERS of the HEART:
- “I was a part of a Seven Sister group my senior year of high school. This experience was pivotal as the week we began, my life turned upside down. The Apostolate kept me praying through this time and reminded me of the importance of Priests! I shared this experience with our Catholic Women’s group at St Nobert College. We decided to pray for our Pastor/Chaplain at SNC.” (Reese, Wisconsin)
- “I discovered a Seven Sisters group and volunteered to be a sub. Learning the discipline of praying for one priest for the entire hour was an amazing gift and for honing my spiritual life. I started one without delay as a gift for our pastor. What a wonderful apostolate! I’m grateful to be a part of it.” (Krista, Connecticut)
- “I am glad to belong and to pray for our priest.” (Nicoline, Cameroon)
- “The Seven Sisters approach is personalized, allowing focused prayers to benefit one priest that I have some level of awareness of responsibilities, challenges, and difficulties he might face.” (Therese, South Carolina)
- “Over the years, I have witnessed the struggles that many of our pastors have endured due to the expectations, misconceptions, pettiness, etc. that can go on. It will be a blessing for us all to dedicate daily prayer for him and his needs and intentions. I am grateful for the opportunity.” (Marylou, Florida)
- “Our group feels called to pray for our retired priest as they enjoy the fruits of their labor and prepare for their calling from Christ to come home.” (Julie, Minnesota)
- “This Apostolate keeps growing and giving and going!” (Renee, Virginia)
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)