The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. – Psalm 19:8b
“Love God, serve God. Everything is in that.” – St Clare of Assisi
Greetings dearest Sisters…
We are together living in that sweet center of two momentous months for the Seven Sisters Apostolate. Our quiet-and-seeking time of discernment in the month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary now encounters the reality of the call-to-action time of commitment in the month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Likely, the commands of the Lord have afforded you the necessary radiance of light to see your next step in your place of loving and serving Him.
Please inform your Anchoress TODAY (if you haven’t already) whether you will continue with your Seven Sisters group or depart from its schedule and commitment. By informing your Anchoress in a timely fashion, hope remains to adjust/adapt any prayer coverage transitions needed to keep them seamless for our priests. To both those continuing or departing – eternal gratitude. Every sacrifice of prayer bears eternal worth. New beginnings and renewals hold great things – radiant with His light!
Recently while on a hike with friends, one of my comrades took hold of my hand as I gingerly searched for a next step attempting to maneuver across the challenge ofa rapid-running stream. Successfully making it to dry land, I expressed gratitude for her quick assistance. Later I was happily able to reciprocate when the sureness of the law of gravity expressed itself as my friend slid across a slippery log. In both cases a keen hand of support and ready encouragement brought the other to a new and safer place in one unbroken piece! Deeper than that, we each had the unrehearsed opportunity – and joy – of upholding another.
That trek in the woods perhaps hearkens to our endeavors as Seven Sisters. How we rightly excite in the call to help another, to consider another greater than ourselves. In this case, a priest. What a privilege and joy to pray for him! This doctor of souls, whose life is full with prayer, sacrifice, requests, generosity, unpredictability and mystery all at once, is the gladsome recipient of our weekly sacrifices of prayer.
The path to heaven is a universal call. Like my trek in the woods, it is realized by one step at a time: sometimes on predictable ground, other times amidst paths of unanticipated uncertainty. Our Holy Hour pledge of prayer for a priest/bishop is perhaps a bit like the readiness of a steadying hand offered to another. Let me help you with the next step heavenward.
Scripture supports this action, “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning. … Aaron and Hur held his hands up- one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset” (Exodus 17: 11,12). Our concerted prayers – one on one side, one on the other – assuredly offer steady support to the priest/bishop to whom we are committed to pray. We delight in the seeming littleness of our efforts, yet paradoxically sense a deep value perhaps even beyond measure! In the rays of the Blessed Sacrament our prayer efforts gain greater significance and sureness. For in You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. Psalm 36:9
Many priests nationwide are learning of new assignments/retirement in these days. It is a new season for these shepherds and a new season for those Seven Sisters in prayer for them. Prayer efforts may need to be ramped up a bit for those in the unsteadiness of the transitions. So many details, one step at a time. Let us generously offer our folded hands in support.
Let us not lose the opportunity to honestly examine and pointedly be aware of and begin the process of our own detaching, letting go of a hand and heart we have held for a season. In embracing this course, the recipient of our prayers may be at greater liberty for his next steps ahead. We too are freed to take on the task of prayer efforts for another that God has chosen.
This is my ‘go to’ prayer in life’s transitions. May this prayer of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) be yours (and for a transitioning priest), as well:
“O my God, fill my soul with holy joy, courage and strength to serve You. Enkindle Your love in me and then walk with me along the next stretch of road before me. I do not see very far ahead, but when I have arrived where the horizon now closes down, a new prospect will open before me, and I shall meet it with peace. Amen.”
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…. Pray that I will not ‘spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted…’ (St Mother Teresa of Calcutta)
Janette
+JMJ+
Renew/begin your Seven Sisters year of prayer in JUNE using the Commitment Prayer composed by our Apostolate Chaplain, Fr Joseph Johnson. Father Johnson asks that, if possible, renew together as a group and on/close to the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (this year: June 23, Friday).
SEVEN SISTERS – in and out and about:
Mary S (our Web master/designer extraordinaire and Anchoress), has added quite a number of items to the Web site: a printable download of the Guidelines booklet, prayers to enhance our Holy Hours, links, and all the while updating the Google map and living a very full personal life alongside these extravagant offerings for the Apostolate. Eternal gratitude, Mary…
Marg W (our spreadsheet maestro and Anchoress) will again be contacting you to update the Spreadsheet. The task is increasing! Eternal gratitude, Marg…
Here is the email to look for: [email protected]. Again, she will reach out to you.
STEADY GROWTH: Groups are continuing to form, especially in the Lincoln diocese of Nebraska and Superior diocese in Wisconsin. Both areas commit to “a group for every priest”. The Archdiocese of St Paul/Mpls continues with new groups and a team is forming to commit to secure 100% coverage! We also welcomed groups in two new states: Mississippi and Georgia
COMING SOON: Plans are going forward for the Seven Sisters 4th Annual St Paul/Mpls Day of Recollection/Retreat. It will be hosted by All Saints parish Seven Sisters groups (2) in Lakeville on the First Saturday of November, Nov 4. One of the ORIGINAL (dubbed the “Magnificent Seven”) groups was started in this parish – and still going strong! Check the Web for details regarding the event, as they unfold.
COMING SOON: Book study of Sheen’s The Priest is not His Own. Hoping to set this up through Web Site. This book is FULL of GEMS!! We are still working on figuring out how to do this… please pray! It will happen!
A Seven Sisters logo is currently being designed and will make its debut later this month!