Consecrated Hands

And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace.
— John 1:16

Greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ! The Lenten season arrives this month with special grace upon grace.  We journey together in united prayers with and prayers for the bishops and priests who lead the way in this most fruitful of seasons!

In the tender, early moments of the germination of the Apostolate (when all was there, but only little known), Fr Johnson, leaned forward in his chair and brought to life an image of Moses.  His glance was in the past and future all at once.  “Janette, just as the hands of Moses were lifted by Aaron and Hur, the Seven Sisters will do the same for the priest.” In Exodus 17 Israel faced a major military threat, the fierce Amalekites. As they engaged in combat, Moses up-stretched his arms in prayer.  With arms raised the Israelite soldiers prevailed, but as Moses drooped in weariness, the battle shifted.  Moses’ brother, Aaron (whose name means strength), and brother-in-law, Hur (whose name means liberty), fittingly stood beside Moses assuring his arms remained elevated, guaranteeing victory for the Israelites.  These men were not mere spectators, but resolute partakers in the battle!

Father Johnson’s words have proven prophetic.  As relay runners pointedly and surely hand off a warmed baton – one hand to another – our seamless prayers surround and fortify the priest's efforts and prayers.  We have not abandoned him in the battle for souls, but rather – join him!  As Aaron and Hur were family to Moses, we are sisters in Christ to our priests.  It has been said that “A need seen, is an assignment given.”  New Anchoresses over and again relate that they observe their brothers in Christ, their pastors or nearby priests, sorely in need of strength. Love compels them to help (II Cor 5:14), to come alongside to lift up their hands. 

Hands receive special attention by the Church on a man’s Ordination day to the Royal Priesthood of Jesus Christ.  The imposition of hands upon the head by the Bishop is born in ancient tradition.  It is an act of consecrating a man for the service of God and transmitting a divine gift of unique identification with Christ.  There is ontological change.  The man leaves the altar the same, but different. "In my judgment, this concept of the ontological nature of the priesthood, is critical. We don't just put on vestments; we don't just receive an assignment. Neither makes us priests. We become priests at ordination. There is an "ontological change" in our spiritual nature. Such is a profound mystery. Is it too bold an analogy to compare the change to Christ the Son of God's retaining His Divinity while becoming a man? Or to observe that after bread becomes the Sacred Body of Christ, it still tastes like bread and feels like bread, but is now the Body of Christ? There has been an ontological change. A cup of wine still smells like wine and tastes like it, but it is now the Blood of Christ. At ordination an ontological change takes place” (John Cardinal O’Connor, 1996).  Mystery. Hands. Truth. Goodness. Beauty. Grace. Gift.

The hands of the Ordinand are anointed with Chrism oil, a mix of olive oil and balsam. The oil symbolizes strength, the fragrant balsam represents the aroma of Christ (II Cor 2:15).  The oil is also used for Baptism, Confirmation, and consecrating a new Bishop, new altar or vessels for use at Mass.  Anointing with chrism signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit in consecrating someone or something to God’s service.

Consecrated hands.   Set apart for holy purposes.  The priest’s hands are steadfastly raised to invoke the Trinitarian God in protective blessing.  They generously serve to worship, express gratitude, seek wisdom, beseech healing and mercy.  The beautiful hands of the priest confer the sacraments. They absolve and sanctify.  They hold and offer the fruits of earth and vine - and the work of human hands.  Those same hands elevate those same offerings as our eternal Bread of Life and Spiritual Drink.  A priest’s sanctified hands bless marriages with the strongest of hopes, fortify the weak of the sick-bed, and big-heartedly fling the holy spray of the aspergillum at the graveside, as expectant of new life as rice tossed at a Wedding.

The hands of a priest devotedly turn page-after-page, ribbon-after-ribbon, day-after-day … the Liturgy of the Hours, Scripture, the Sacramentary, the book of blessing.  They grip the pulpit tightly or wave passionately to punctuate a truth of Scripture in homilies.   They are meant to comfort, squeeze confidence into the shoulder of a lad lacking courage, and lift high a newborn post Baptism for the congregation to bask in the glow of the new light of a Child of God.  All in a day…

The custom of kissing the hands of a newly Ordained priest stems from a recognition of the fundamental change that has occurred and of the unique importance of the hands of the priestly ministry.  You may be aware of this well-loved story of St Francis of Assisi: A parishioner brought to the attention of St. Francis a priest involved in a scandalous affair. He asked St. Francis (who himself remained a deacon, never becoming a priest) to go and correct the priest. Upon arriving at the home, the little Saint immediately knelt, gently cupped the hands of the priest in his and kissed them.   Not condoning wrong behavior, he was teaching that God works through His church, even when its ministers fall short.  “If I were to meet at the same time some saint coming down from heaven and any poor little priest,” said St Francis, “I would first pay my respects to the priest and proceed to kiss his hands first.  I would say, ‘Ah, just a moment St. Lawrence, because this person’s hands handle the Word of Life and possess something that is more than human. These hands have touched my Lord, and no matter what they be like, they could not soil Him or lessen His virtue . . . To honor the Lord, honor His minister . . . He can be bad for himself, but for me he is good.”

As Seven Sisters, let us fold our own hands in prayer and decisively venerate the holy hands of priests through an awareness of their ordained purposes and through the graces of our prayers.  In so doing, we elevate those hands and arms that are fated to be raised for our very lives!

(See attachment:  The Beautiful Hands of the Priest poem)

 United in prayer and mission...that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest...

 ... eternal gratitude continues as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day....  “One Ave Maria makes hell tremble” (St John Vianney). Pray that I will not 'spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted...'  (St Teresa of Calcutta)

... your kind emails and notes and phone calls and generous support always arrive to my heart door at the right moment! Your financial sacrifices are for 100% furtherance of Apostolate.  THANK YOU!  The letters of testimony are so beautiful and edifying! What glory is given to God through your writing! Eternal gratitude is mine for YOU! Be assured of my continued daily prayers for you at the altar.

 Janette (Howe)
+JMJ+   
sevensistersapostolate@gmail.com

 

SUPPORT:  THANK YOU for your generous contributions of prayers and financial support for the anticipated new Web site design.  Still seeking good quality photos.  Ideas: Still shots of Seven Sister in Adoration/prayer, Adoration chapel/details, Seven Sisters groups/prayer commitment together.  

Send through sevensistersapostolate@gmail.com

SEVEN SISTERS – in and out and about:

Heartfelt welcome: New groups registered in JANUARY to cover more priests in daily prayer:  Additional groups in Canada (Ontario and Edmonton) and Ireland (County Derry, Northern Ireland) and in these USA states:  Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.   At the rate of recent growth, we will likely reach and surpass the coveted 2020 groups sum this month!  An evident fruit of your sacrifices and prayers and a fitting gift to Our Lord!

DAILY prayer for growth: During this Year of St Joseph (12/08/20 to 12/08-21) every Seven Sister has been asked to offer DAILY the Act of Confidence:  Heart of Jesus, I adore Thee. Heart of Mary, I implore thee. Heart of Joseph, meek and just. In these three Hearts I place my trust. Two Seven Sisters have created beautiful prayer aids to copy.  Karen G (Pennsylvania) designed holy card sized materials.  Lisa E (Minnesota) designed bookmark shaped pieces. Both are attached for free download and use.  GRATITUDE to Karen and Lisa for the good work of their hearts and hands!

RECENT … and AHEAD on the calendar:

> Inspiration Day for the Apostolate: 24 March 2011 (10 years!) First seven groups began June 2011 for one year, then the doors opened to other groups in June 2012.  God is generous!

> 6 May 2021: Day of Reflection and Renewal. (8 am Mass – 3 pm close) St Elizabeth Ann Seton, North Platte, NE.  Janette will lead this Retreat.  Inquiries to Joan: rylandjoan@yahoo.com

> 7-8 May 2021: Retreat at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly, NE. Theme: Real Women wear Armor (Eph 6:10-18) Janette will lead this Retreat. Registration: Retreat House.

> Upcoming Radio spot on Cleveland Catholic Radio, The Rock 1260 AM.  TBA

MATTERS of the HEART:

Ø  “So privileged and blessed to be part of this apostolate!  I am very excited - I have all of my sisters (actually a total of 11 with young moms sharing days so they can be part of our group) plus subs.  … I am also encouraging each sister to ask someone to fast for Father on their day of prayer. Until we can find someone to spearhead the Fasting Brothers, my husband is fasting on my day.” (Laurie, Virginia)

Ø  “He called His Apostles to go out into the deep… Your Apostolate has given priests across the GLOBE powerful GRACES in these trying times by the many members.... who lift up these prayers to reach the very heart and soul of our beloved clergy...only in heaven will we know this... (Kathy, Minnesota)

Ø  “When a dear friend contacted me about this apostolate, I felt the Holy Spirit strongly calling me to give the most powerful gift I can give back to my parish. I believe deep prayer for others is the first resort in helping my parish community, not the last resort. After I prayed that God would lead me to the 6 sisters who would join me, every one I approached said yes. And that they had been praying for this deepening themselves. I am so grateful for this growing ministry.” (Jane, Oregon)

Ø  “I was invited to fill in as a sub for a number of months for an ill Sister in our Pastor's Group. I loved doing it and grew personally from it. The Anchoress of that group asked if I would consider organizing a group for our young Associate priest. I was thrilled! I had no problem finding six women. They are so excited and can't wait to begin.” (Paula, Wisconsin)

Ø  “I came to America as a refugee two days before the Vietnam war ended. God has blessed me so much. I want to share His love and help pray for conversion and protection of all His priests.” (Thuy, Virginia)

APPRECIATED and LOVED quilt project:  A double cloaking for RETIRED PRIESTS: Seven Sisters prayer and a quilt!  To learn more regarding a single quilt for a retired priest or on how to get this started in your Diocese, contact QuiltsBySevenSisters@gmail.com 

FASTING BROTHERS is growing: Groups of men offering various forms of fasting to augment the prayer efforts of a Seven Sisters group.  Each man prayerfully discerns the type of fasting he will offer and commits to fast a designated day of the week (excepting Sunday/Solemnities). Our Chaplain, strongly urges formation of these groups for the benefit of the priests/bishops. He also wants to keep track of the groups forming.  Anchoresses: let us know the Seven Sisters group to which the Fasting Brothers are linked, name of FB contact and the start date. 

LAMP-BEARERS: In January 2020, Lamp-Bearers, so-named for their action of continually ‘filling of their lamps with the oil of prayer’, was launched to pray for the Apostolate at large.  Each intercessor prays a minimum of once per week, but many are offering prayers every day.  Intentions are gleaned from topics and calendar points in the monthly Communique and also sent to members on the second or third Sunday of the month.  Additional intercessors welcomed.  Those desiring to learn more, send an email of interest/inquiry through the Website. 

SEVEN SISTERS Guideline BOOKLETS: Available as free download from Web site.  Hard copies passed on for printing cost of $2 each + P/H. Order thru Web email with amount desired/address

SEVEN SISTERS Tri-fold BROCHURE:   Effectively used in parish pamphlet stands (ask pastor’s approval prior), Adoration Chapels, Retreat Centers, Bags/Packets for Women’s Conferences/Retreats, Women’s clubs, Serra clubs – or simply handing out!  Available on Web as free download.  Recommend 80# silk for best printing results.  May also order through Web site.  Indicate address/quantity.  25 for $10 + P/H.  Available in ENGLISH and SPANISH. 

SEVEN SISTERS Tri-fold LITANY for PRIESTS: Beautifully printed on 100# silk (a bit thicker than brochures).  Original artwork (inspired by the Diary of St Faustina) by Seven Sister in Minnesota, Litany by Richard Cardinal Cushing.  25 for $10 + P/H. 

REMEMBRANCE of those SEVEN SISTERS who have PASSED: We want to remember those Seven Sisters in name and in prayer, who have gone before us to their eternal rest. Visit the Web site. Click on ABOUT folder and scroll to bottom, choose: IN REMEMBRANCE.  Follow prompts… OR you may submit info via the Website email. Please check site monthly for additions!  

PRIEST who has PASSED to ETERNAL REST: If the priest for whom you pray has entered eternal life, the group may be led to continue to pray for a length of time for the soul of that priest. Perhaps a novena of Holy Hours or the offering of holy Mass(es) for the priest.  You will know.  Some groups have/are offering Holy Hours for an entire year for their beloved deceased priest.  Groups may be started following the death of a priest that did not have a group prior.  This is commendable and welcomed.  Please register these special groups through the Web site.

SPANISH translation of Communique:  Generously done every month by Zahyra B, Anchoress for a Seven Sisters group in Venezuela.  Posted/archived on the Website.  If it is easier to receive through an email account, please let me know. Expect 2-4 days for translation. Commitment Prayer/Guidelines Booklet in Spanish (on the Web - free download).