Seven Sisters Apostolate Blesses Pastors through Prayer

By Carissa Krautscheid 

Many kids grow up dreaming of being secret agents or perhaps soldiers. While these real careers exist, there also exists a secret society of prayer warrior women within the Catholic Church.  

Well… perhaps they aren’t exactly secret agents, but if you haven’t heard of them, these prayer warriors are the Seven Sisters Apostolate. What started only 13 years ago, when the Holy Spirit nudged Janette Howe in Minnesota, has unfolded into a network of lay women around the world. 

The mission is simple: seven women commit to a year of praying for their local pastor before the Eucharist, each taking one day of the week. No membership dues, no regular meetings, no meeting space required, and no fundraising. Simple, right? 

But this simple addition of dedicated prayer every single day of the week for our pastors, Bishop, and other priests has a profound impact. 

“I cannot tell you how much this prayer support means to me,” said Fr. Greg Adolf who is the pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle in Sierra Vista. “I can attest that receiving this kind of spiritual support and prayer has made a tremendous difference in my life. Providentially, the Seven Sisters group formed here at the time of the pandemic and lockdowns, and receiving this spiritual support, knowing that someone was interceding for me each day was, and continues to be, a huge blessing. I am not exaggerating when I credit this prayer group with helping me get through the pandemic.” 

Karen Harper is the Anchoress of the Seven Sisters Apostolate at St. Andrew Parish in Sierra Vista. She explained what it is like to be one of the Seven Sisters. “We pray for the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of the pastor and any of his special intentions. A rosary is always prayed for the pastor and then it is up to the individual Sister on what or how they pray. Each Holy Hour is unique to each of the Seven Sisters. The other prayers may include daily Scripture readings, litanies, chaplets, and the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.” 

The Seven Sisters pray in front of the Eucharist, either during Adoration or before the Tabernacle. If more than seven women at a parish would like to participate, substitutes can be on-call when needed, or a second group at the parish can be formed to pray for the parochial vicar, a retired priest, a priest serving in a non-parish assignment, etc. St. Andrew’s now has two groups praying for their pastor and associate pastor. 

Currently in the Diocese of Tucson, twelve groups of Seven Sisters are praying for their pastors, priests, and Bishop Weisenburger. Parishes include St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Francis de Sales, Our Mother of Sorrows, and St. Cyril of Alexandria in Tucson; St. Andrew the Apostle in Sierra Vista; Sacred Heart in Tombstone; St. Philip the Apostle in Payson; St. Anthony of Padua in Casa Grande; and St. Luke in Douglas. 

“This Apostolate is truly a gift for every priest,” said Harper, “and what began as sacrificial service for my pastor has become a ladder in my own spiritual development. My prayer life is far more joyful, faithful, and fruitful since becoming a Seven Sister. This Apostolate is transformative for both the Priest and the Sister.” 

Fr. Greg says that he has felt the prayers of the Seven Sisters. Knowing that a Sister is praying a Holy Hour for him every single day has filled him with great peace.  

“I pray that every priest in the Catholic Church will soon have a Seven Sisters Apostolate praying for them!” said Harper. “Just imagine the outpouring of gifts from the Holy Spirit on the entire Church!" 

Priests and parishioners who are interested in starting a Seven Sisters Apostolate should read more on their website at sevensistersapostolate.org. The power of these prayers has a profound impact on both the women and clergy.