Seven Sisters, Fasting Brothers seek to expand from Forest City to other parishes
FOREST CITY — What began as a nudge in 2010 to pray more frequently and intentionally for a pastor has led to an international prayer movement called the Seven Sisters Apostolate.
Immaculate Conception Church now has an active Seven Sisters group, and even a group of Fasting Brothers, to pray and fast for their pastor, Father Herbert Burke.
The Seven Sisters Apostolate began nine years ago when Janette Howe, a parishioner of the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, Minn., felt called to pray for her pastor, Father Joseph Johnson.
She began to offer a Holy Hour once a week. She chose to make the chapel visit on Thursdays, the day celebrating the institution of both the Holy Eucharist and holy orders, during the Hour of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.
In March 2011, while in prayer for Father Johnson in front of the Blessed Sacrament, she “heard” the words “Seven Sisters” in her heart. After some time, Howe sensed that the Lord wanted her to invite six others – seven in total – to offer one Holy Hour once a day for their pastor. The Holy Spirit also impressed upon Howe two specific directives regarding the intercessor’s Holy Hour: it should be only for the pastor, and it should ask for the priest’s deepening devotion to our Blessed Mother.
Howe shared these aspects of her prayer with Father Johnson, who directed her to start the Seven Sisters Apostolate with seven churches – 49 women in total.
The apostolate has now spread to more than 800 parishes, chanceries, seminaries, and hospitals around the world – with most in the United States.
In August 2018, Immaculate Conception parishioner Amanda DeLauter approached fellow parishioner Valerie Giggie about starting the apostolate there.
“We thought it was a great idea – a powerful and concrete way to fight the good fight,” Giggie recalls.
Giggie agreed to help start the group. She is now the anchoress of the Seven Sisters group at the parish, as well as coordinator of the apostolate around the Diocese of Charlotte. As anchoress, she makes the schedule, prays for the Sisters, advises the Sisters of any special intentions of the pastor, and forwards a monthly communique to the Sisters. As diocesan coordinator, she promotes the apostolate, answers questions and advises new groups.
“By Divine Providence, it was easy to start our group,” Giggie says. “I made an announcement explaining the apostolate and the commitment after all the Masses one weekend. By the end of Sunday, we had enough volunteers, including extras and substitutes, to pray for our pastor.”
The Seven Sisters commitment is for one year, from June to June, with May as a month of discernment to decide if another year of commitment is possible.
“However, a group can begin at any time of the year,” Giggie explains. “Our group began on Oct. 7, 2018, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.”
”Lay people need to know the importance of setting aside some time to pray for our priest,” says Seven Sisters group member Alma Resendiz. “With everything happening in the world, our priests need lots of prayers to keep focused, strong and keep us going. That is something I did not realize until I joined Seven Sisters.”
Men of the parish have also been inspired to join the effort. The Fasting Brothers are seven men who fast – each one day of the week every week, specifically for their pastor.
“Knowing that the other six (Sisters) will be praying for Father Burke all week just makes me so happy,” says Teri O’Reilly, who feels blessed to be a part of the apostolate. “Also, having the men do their part and fasting is such a blessing.”
“I have enjoyed the one hour of peaceful prayer for Father Burke in our beautiful chapel. Knowing that other parishes have their Seven Sisters and it has spread to all over the world is such a wonderful thing,” O’Reilly says.
Currently, there are three groups in the diocese: Immaculate Conception in Forest City, St. John the Baptist in Tryon and St. Joseph College Seminary in Charlotte.
“What a blessing for our diocese if this apostolate would spread to all the parishes, strengthening all of our priests!” Giggie says.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter; Valerie Giggie and SevenSistersApostolate.org contributed.
For more information
Interested in forming a Seven Sisters group at your parish? Visit www.sevensistersapostolate.org for information on history, prayers and locations of the apostolate.
Questions? Email apostolate coordinator Valerie Giggie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..