From Fourteen to Fifty-two: The Seven Sisters Apostolate Grows!

“Fourteen sisters four years ago,” was the opening announcement at the June 27th gathering of the Seven Sisters Apostolate, “but the number has grown to 52.”  What began as a Legion of Mary project has become a growing apostolate.

​The sisters are lay women who each give an hour a week in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in prayer for a priest or for our Bishop. It takes seven sisters to pray for an individual priest so that prayers are offered each day of the week. Each group of seven sisters has an anchoress who helps with communication and administration.

When the apostolate began at St. Luke’s Parish in 2022, fourteen women volunteered.  This year, twenty-one women prayed for Bishop William McGrattan – he has three sisters praying for him a day in appreciation for the size of his ministry. The remaining sisters have prayed for Father Paul Raj and Father William Monis of St. Luke’s, and for Father Tomy Manjaly, Father Lawrence Manolache, and Father Cuong Luong.

The Seven Sisters Apostolate is not unique to St. Luke’s Parish, but it is a new endeavour in our diocese.  “Support your priests with your love and prayers, that they may always be shepherds after Christ’s heart,” said Pope Francis. Janette Howe of St. Paul, Minnesota had a similar mission in mind when she first began to offer an hour of prayer at adoration for her local priest in 2010. In gratitude for his work, she hoped that an hour of prayer would support him. With time, her practice grew to include other sisters, and the apostolate began to spread.

The sisters pray for the pastor and ask for a deepening devotion to the Blessed Mother in his life. Each sister commits to the discipline of a weekly hour before the Blessed Sacrament for one year in prayer for a specific priest.

The sisters who met at St. Luke’s shared their hopes for the impact this practice has on their pastor and the graces they have found in their own spiritual growth.

“They are our shepherds, and we need to pray for them.  They are under attack, and this prayer gives them courage and strength.” 

“We ask God to give them wisdom.” 

Knowing that prayerful support supersedes human support, other sisters shared their hopes that these prayers would help their pastor address the challenges of parish life.

​There were reflections on the members’ own growth too. “Having a consistent prayer life makes time for silence to hear God’s voice.” Others added that the apostolate gives an important purpose for prayer. It fosters devotion and accountability.  

“It helps me to focus because I am easily distracted,” one member observed.

Another noted that she felt it a privilege to have this opportunity to practice the discipline of prayer for a year. 

​“It changed my life,” said another. She had been new to adoration, and it has become fundamental to her spiritual growth. Others said that they have found peace and friendships with fellow sisters.

All in all, it was an atmosphere of praise and gratitude, and the warmth of the gathering reflected the spirit of parish renewal as these women took concrete action to support their pastors in prayer. The June 27th gathering included Lectio Divina, time for contemplation on the gifts of the apostolate, thanks from two of the pastors and a feast. Each member also received a rose as she committed to continue her role in the apostolate for another year. 

If you would like to know more about the Seven Sisters Apostolate, please contact Rosa of the Legion of Mary at St. Luke’s Parish (403) 282-9488 (Parish Office). 

---

Submitted by Katy Morrison, St. Luke's Parish. Photos courtesy of Victor Panlilio.