‘That our prayers may find the heart
of every priest and bishop’
In a recent Vocations column, Father Kevin Reilly, diocesan director of vocations, stated that perhaps we would see an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life if we prayed for our pastors. Father suggested that they may be exhausted. Our prayers could strengthen them so they might notice the man in their parish who is being called to follow our Lord as a priest.
“It came to me in prayer at adoration that pastors are the ones who know the men in their parish. Invariably, the pastor is the first one who will ask a man who’s in discernment if he’s ever considered the priesthood. If the pastor is worn out and distracted by his duties, he might not notice that man. Our prayers to strengthen our pastors will help them greatly.”
One means of answering Father Kevin’s call is the formation of Seven Sisters Apostolates of prayer in our parishes. Through the apostolate, seven women in a parish each commit to pray one Holy Hour per week for one year on a particular day solely for the intentions of their pastor. The pastor therefore has a holy hour prayed for him every day!
The Seven Sisters Apostolate of prayer was formed in 2011 by Janette Howe, who had been praying a weekly Holy Hour for her pastor, Father Joseph R. Johnson, rector at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St.Paul, Minnesota, in thanksgiving for his dedication and pastoral generosity. Janette was inspired during prayer to invite other women to join her. Today, the Seven Sisters Apostolate prays for our priests and bishops in more than 4,000 parishes, chanceries, seminaries, hospitals and other organizations around the world!
In St. Pio Parish in Old Saybrook, 16 women have been praying for Pastor Rev. Grzegorz P. Brozonowicz and Parochial Vicar Rev. Martin Noe for the past year. Participants have found it to be a powerful way to support their priests, even if they have busy schedules, as there are no meetings and only one hour of prayer required each week. They seek permission from their pastor to organize a group and may also arrange for permanent substitutes to cover for absent members occasionally.
Members of the Seven Sisters Apostolate express gratitude for the blessings they receive from this commitment. They feel honored and joyful to pray for their pastor, acknowledging the significance of their prayers for the spiritual growth of their priests. The apostolate fosters a sense of sisterhood among its members, as they see themselves as links in a chain, united by their shared commitment to support their priests through prayer.
When asked about the effects a Holy Hour per week may have on vocations in our diocese, Father Kevin Reilly answered, “Knowing that, through the Seven Sisters Apostolate of prayer, a Holy Hour was being prayed for each pastor every day would be tremendous.” Father Grzegorz Brozonowicz added that he “hopes that people respond to this important call for prayer for priests through the power of the Holy Spirit. “
God bless and keep our holy priests!
By Sue Daley