The Seven Sisters

08/28/2025 • View profile

Photo by Uladzislau Petrushkevich on Unsplash

"Prayer is the oxygen for our souls..."

On Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 7:32 PM; a priest from our diocese was taken into police custody. Innocent until proven guilty, he was released on bail and is on leave from public ministry until charges are dropped or proven. Our diocese has been stunned and polarized this week as we seek peace and healing. In general, all priests are super-bombarded by the temptation to despair, which is intended to prevent us from approaching the sacraments. No priest = no sacraments. How is this partly our fault--are we praying for our church leaders? To preserve the sacraments and keep our priests holy, we must support those in persona Christi. The Jesuit-educated, French-conservative, Joseph de Maistre famously said--we get what we tolerate. No disrespect intended, but perhaps this extrapolates to overall church leadership as well? What can we do to fix this?

Prayer is Oxygen. The 7-Sisters Apostolate is a call to strengthen our Church by offering 7-separate holy hours each week for the sole intention of a specific priest. The purpose is to lavish him with prayer for deeper conformity to Christ. If we ask for greater holiness in our priests, why would God say no? A spiritually-nourished priest is better-armed to shower us with edifying homilies, holier advice and morally-sound role-modeling.

7-People. While it started as women, all men are welcome. A 7-Sisters group begins when at least 7-persons respond to the call. If more than 7-persons desire to pray, a core group of 7-designated prayer warriors are assigned while substitutes provide additional prayer. The coordinator of a group is known as the Anchor or Anchoress. With multiple interested parties, another priest may be chosen. Currently, our parish has 2-groups praying for 2-priests.

1-Priest. The initial recipient of a 7-Sisters group should be the parish pastor. After the pastor has a committed group, subsequent groups may be formed for others, such as parochial vicars, a retired priest or a bishop. The group prays for the priest until he is reassigned, at which time his successor becomes the beneficiary of prayer. This guards against unhealthy attachment to each priest.

1-Hour a week. Each member commits to a 1-Holy Hour on different days, covering all 7 days of the week. With their commitment to a certain day; the 7-Sisters may pray at any time during that day. If unable to perform the Holy Hour, substitutes follow the Apostolate’s mission. The substitute need not be a woman. If unable to arrange a substitute, the member should contact the Anchor or Anchoress for backup.

1-Tabernacle. The Holy Hour is prayed in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament ideally, either in Adoration or in front of the Tabernacle. It is not restricted to the parish of which the 7-Sister is a member. Thus, one can remain faithful to the commitment when traveling, when a parish does not offer Perpetual Adoration or when there is limited access to a particular church.

1-Year. This generous commitment of 1-hour per week lasts 1-year. However, it can remain open-ended as each individual discerns their call. A group may begin at any time of year. The normal commitment extends from June to June, the month of the Sacred Heart. Ideally, the commitment-prayer is made on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is fitting that this commitment happens as a group, via online meeting or individually if members are not able to gather.

Recruiting. Daily Mass-goers are a great place to recruit, especially when involved in the rosary prior. Total investment to both activities fulfills 45 of the 60-minutes. The hour is completed when arriving early for confession or staying after for self-reflection. A virtual journey with Mother Mary around the Stations of the Cross is also a means to bank blessings towards the 1-hour commitment.

Feel called to start your group? If you feel moved and know 7-people who are committed to the souls of your pastor or priests; contact a 7-Sisters Coordinator to become official members. All involved get updates from other groups and news communications. If you are ready, complete the “Start a Group" form, to help your priests, parish--and yourself--bring more souls to God!

Prayer for Priests by St Therese of Lisieux

O Jesus, eternal Priest,

hide your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart, where evil cannot touch them.

Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Your Sacred Body.

Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with your Precious Blood.

Keep pure and unearthly their hearts,

sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood.

Let Your holy love surround them & shield them from the world's contagion.

Bless their labors with abundant fruit.

May the souls to whom they minister be their joy & consolation here & in heaven;

& sparkle as precious jewels on their beautiful & everlasting crown.

Amen.