Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
7 SISTERS APOSTOLATE
7 SISTERS APOSTOLATE. Founded in the spring of 2014 in the ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE, the 7 Sisters is a core group of seven women of each parish who commit to a weekly holy hour of prayer dedicated to their parish priest. The level of dedication is such that if one member is unable to offer her hour of prayer on her committed day, she will call for a substitute.
The program began in 2011 with Janette Howe, a lay woman in the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis. During her prayer for her pastor, she remembered hearing the words "Seven Sisters." After hearing this again, she invited six other women to offer an hour of prayer for their pastor. Encouraged by her pastor, Howe began the program in other churches in the archdiocese. By June 2011 the program involved 49 women in seven parishes.
In 2024 the concept had spread worldwide to involve 1,380 groups of seven women. There were 70 groups in the Archdiocese of Dubuque.
The 7 Sisters receives help from other groups including the Fasting Brothers. These men support the women by giving up food for a period of time or an activity.
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London, Michelle, "The Power of Prayer," Telegraph Herald, June 1, 2024, p. 7A