Seven Sisters, Fasting Brothers focus on ‘The Power of Prayer’
Southern Nebraska Register
The Seven Sisters Apostolate held a day of renewal Oct. 18 at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, themed “The Power of Prayer.”
In a group of Seven Sisters, seven women each commit to praying a holy hour for a specific priest one day a week, so that the priest has someone praying for him in front of the Blessed Sacrament every day for a year.
The day began with Mass celebrated in the seminary chapel by Father Robert Barnhill.
Rhonda Litt of Lincoln serves as diocesan coordinator of the Seven Sisters Apostolate. She welcomed the attendees and introduced featured speaker Janette Howe, founder of the Seven Sisters Apostolate from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Howe explained how she was inspired to start the apostolate of prayer in 2010. It has since grown to include more than 5,200 organized groups across six continents, 36 countries and all 50 United States. The group collectively prays nearly two million holy hours for priests each year.
The Seven Sisters Apostolate has been active in the Diocese of Lincoln since 2017 when Litt became coordinator; she and Howe met with Bishop James Conley for his permission to promote the apostolate in the diocese.
Priests who have been the recipients of Seven Sisters groups gave testimony Oct. 18. Father Barnhill was joined by Father Christopher Barak, Father Jason Doher and Father Jamie Hottovy, to share what their Sisters’ prayers have meant to them and their priesthood. The priests shared both spiritual and physical benefits.
Father Doher is pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Manley and St. Mary in Elmwood. He said he suffered multiple cases of mononucleosis, from his youth through his seminary days and into his priesthood. The viral infection is well known for causing fatigue, body aches and fever, lasting sometimes for months.
When he once again tested positive for mono while serving as an assistant pastor, he mentioned it to his Seven Sisters group. Aside from his own suffering, the repeated infections, he felt, caused more work for his fellow priests. Three days after his prayer request, he reported – he was completely fine.
Father Barak talked about a time in his priesthood when, he said, he felt completely alone, even away from God, and asked his Seven Sisters group to pray for him. He said he felt God’s love for him and hasn’t felt alone since.
With amusement, he also highlighted how the sisters are “sisters” and not the priests “mothers,” because, he said, sisters are more likely to put a brother in his place if needed!
He referenced Luke 8 as an example of Jesus recognizing the importance of women in ministry, especially their capacity to anticipate the needs of the Apostles and Jesus as they returned from preaching. Father Barak said that just as the apostles couldn’t preach alone without the caring support of the women, the priests also need the caring support of the Seven Sisters to fulfill their mission as priests.
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SNR photos | Natalie Bender. Click for more.
While the Seven Sisters Apostolate is designed for women, the growth of the ministry has spawned men to be involved, as well.
Dr. John Crotty of St. Joseph Parish in Auburn spoke about the Fasting Brothers. A group of Fasting Brothers is a group of men who commit to fasting one day a week in conjunction with their parish’s Seven Sisters group, for the intention of a specific priest. Sunday is excluded as it is the Lord’s Day, and thus unsuited to penance.
Dr. Crotty spoke about the need for men to sacrifice in tandem with women praying. Sacred Scripture, he pointed out, mentions both fasting and prayer, and while both men and women can fast and pray, the apostolates are designed to highlight the unique gifts of men and women in a way that covers both praying and fasting.
In addition to the talks and time for prayer, participants were able to visit with their Seven Sisters groups, or those in other groups. Relics were present for veneration and tours of the seminary were available. There were also drawings for prizes, and a life-size photo cutout of Pope Leo XIV was present for photos (Click for photos).
Connie Munguia of Cristo Rey Parish in Lincoln spoke in the afternoon. She learned about the Seven Sisters Apostolate years ago, from a friend who belonged to a group in Minnesota. At that time, Cristo Rey Parish quickly formed groups for its priests.
At first, Munguia said, the groups didn’t tell the priests they were praying for them. But recognizing the great gift it was, she decided to tell their pastor. She told him the names of the seven women who prayed an hour a week for his intentions.
She said he was so moved, he said, “every priest should have this!” Munguia agreed and invited Howe to the Diocese of Lincoln to encourage other groups to form. She presented after a Saturday morning Mass at St. John the Apostle Church in Lincoln. Over coffee and rolls, Howe and Munguia explained the apostolate to women from Cristo Rey and St. John parishes—including the eventual diocesan coordinator, Litt.
Howe has since led several conferences in Lincoln and McCook. She has also led many retreats at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly. Litt said the retreats are typically held in May.
Munguia and her group of Seven Sisters continued to pray for their pastor, Father Ramon Decaen, until his unexpected death in 2021. He died at 48 after a brief illness with COVID. He had served as pastor of Cristo Rey Parish for 10 years. Munguia and her Seven Sisters arranged for a Seven Sisters quilt to be placed over his coffin. The quilt was later given to Father Decaen’s mother – who is also a member of a Seven Sisters group in her home diocese in California.
Munguia emphasized that the Seven Sisters don’t choose to join a group, but instead they answer a call, as in Mary’s Fiat.
Those open to answering the call to pray for priests may learn more at https://www.lincolndiocese.org/diocese/lay-organizations/seven-sisters or by contacting Rhonda Litt at 402-525-6396 (text or call) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
