Seven Sisters apostolate prays daily for majority of Lincoln Diocese priests
Women in the Diocese of Lincoln are praying daily Holy Hours for more than half of the diocese’s priests, according to an April 3 report. The initiative is led by members of the Seven Sisters apostolate, including Lora Unger and her prayer team.
The effort highlights a commitment among local Catholics to support their clergy through regular prayer. This practice is part of a wider tradition within the diocese, which promotes adherence to Catholic values and engages its members through various communications and events, according to the official website.
Unger said she prays for Father Benjamin Holdren, who currently serves as director of the Propaedeutic Year at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward. “The priest that I pray for is Father Benjamin Holdren, a longtime dear friend of my husband and I,” Unger said. She explained that when Father Holdren left his previous parish—which had a Seven Sisters ministry—she organized a new group to continue praying for him. “He was very gracious and honored by that, and finding people to pray for him was very easy,” she said.
Rhonda Litt, coordinator for Seven Sisters in Lincoln, said teams now offer daily adoration on behalf of about 62 percent of diocesan priests—a practice established after Jeanette Howe introduced the apostolate locally in 2016. “Jeanette Howe gave a full explanation about the Seven Sisters Apostolate, and it really touched my heart,” Litt said. She added that women across the world are praying roughly two million Holy Hours annually for priests.
Father Holdren described receiving these prayers as humbling: “It’s just very, very humbling to have these incredible women taking time out of their busy schedule and praying holy hours for my priesthood and for the intentions that I have each day that come up.” He maintains regular contact with Unger’s family through spiritual activities such as Masses at St. Gregory’s seminary.
The Diocese comprises 134 parishes and six educational institutions according to its official website. It extends services across southern Nebraska according to its official website while supporting vocations, family life programs, catechesis efforts and charitable work according to its official website. As noted on its site,the Diocese seeks followers who actively practice their beliefs within this religious organization.
Litt reflected on how this connection mirrors biblical relationships: “To be in this apostolate gives you an entirely different sense of the priesthood… We’re praying for our priests… just as Mary was always with Jesus in good times and bad times.”
