“We live in a world where the challenges priests are facing are far greater than we can imagine,” says Diane Arnold from Church of St. Benedict, Mohnton. “I wish I could express how important the Seven Sisters Apostolate is. Who doesn’t gain so much by prayer?”
The Seven Sisters Apostolate, started in 2010 by Janette Howe in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a ministry where seven women from a parish commit to praying one holy hour per week for their parish priest. Today, more than 1,350 parishes around the world participate in the Apostolate.
Diane Arnold, the anchoress who manages the apostolate for St. Benedict’s, shared that her own spiritual life has grown exponentially since helping start the ministry at her parish. But, more importantly, she believes that “the gift you are giving to your priest is priceless.”
According to foundress Howe, the Seven Sisters Apostolate should prioritize praying for the pastor. Arnold elaborated: “In that Holy Hour, you adore the Lord, you hold the intentions of the pastor and the priestly vocation, and you pray specifically that your priest may have a deeper devotion to the Blessed Mother.”
When Rev. Stan Moczydlowski became pastor at St. Benedict’s in May, he had never heard of the Apostolate.
“When I went to tell Father about the Apostolate, I asked him, ‘do you have any sisters?’” Arnold shared. “And when he said he did not, I told him, ‘You do now!’”
“I did share what Diane told me with some of my brother priests to let them know about this wonderful apostolate,” commented Rev. Moczydlowski. “Every priest can benefit so greatly. It requires little in terms of start-up or maintenance but can provide powerful results. I can’t think of a greater gift you can give your pastor than to offer a Holy Hour for the grace of living a life as a holy and faithful priest.”
To start the ministry at a parish requires nothing more than one woman willing to organize it, and at least six other women willing to commit to one hour per week. “Ideally, you would pray your Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament,” explained Arnold. “But the Holy Spirit understands that our lives are complicated. The Apostolate is not rigid. You can break your hour up, or you can pray it at home. It’s manageable.”
If there are enough women willing to participate, the ministry can be extended to the Bishop and/or to the Parochial Vicar. This year, blessed with seven additional women when their Pastor and previous priest were already covered, the Apostolate at St. Benedict’s decided to pray for Rev. Aaron Scheidel to help him through his first year of priesthood.
“It was very humbling to learn that there were women at my home parish praying for me as I was in seminary and into the priesthood,” Rev. Scheidel shared. “They had been praying for me for some time before they told me. Some of these women I have known for many years, some of them watched me grow up, others I had never had a full conversation with. Yet, they all committed to pray for me and support me in my vocation. It is very encouraging and humbling and I am extremely grateful.”
Bishop Schlert shared his appreciation for the Apostolate in all its locations. “I extend my deepest gratitude to all of the women of the Diocese who participate in this Apostolate,” he said. “It is impossible to overstate the power of prayer and the impact it has on our priests.”
“I think Seven Sisters is also a powerful reminder that the priest is not separate from the people he serves and shepherds,” Rev. Scheidel added. “The parish is a family, and the people have just as much of a role in the spiritual welfare of their parish as their priest.”
Visit the Seven Sisters website to learn more about the Apostolate.
By Diocesan Staff
