ORTONVILLE — On Oct. 15, the feast of St. Teresa of Ávila, the great spiritual master and Doctor of the Church, approximately 60 women of the Seven Sisters Apostolate gathered at St. Anne Catholic Church in Ortonville for a joyful morning of prayer, reflection and fellowship.
The retreat, entitled “A Morning Before the Blessed Sacrament: Learning to Remain with Christ in Prayer,” was led by Fr. John Yongli Chen, priest of St. Anne Parish. Drawing inspiration from Scripture and St. Teresa’s spirituality, Fr. Chen invited participants to rediscover prayer as a loving response to God's invitation and an intimate communion with Christ.
The morning included scriptural reflections, lively discussions, Holy Mass, Eucharistic adoration and benediction. Throughout the gathering, the sisters shared a beautiful spirit of joy, friendship, and mutual encouragement.
Fr. Chen, on behalf of the bishops and brother priests, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the Seven Sisters, whose weekly holy hours before the Blessed Sacrament sustain priests through faithful intercession.
Comparing their ministry to Aaron and Hur, who supported Moses’ weary arms (Exodus 17:12), he emphasized that their often-hidden prayers are indispensable to priestly ministry.
The gathering celebrated both the power of prayer and the beautiful spiritual bond between priests and those who faithfully pray for them.
(Photo and information courtesy of fr. John Yongli Chen)
