Apostleship of Prayer
Founded
at the end of the nineteenth century by the Jesuits, the Apostleship of Prayer
is a spiritual organization that seeks the salvation of humanity through good
works and prayers, especially to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
On December 22, 1905, pioneer missionary Father Athanasius Filipow established the Apostleship of Prayer among the Ukrainians in Canada. On July 17, 1922, Father Nicon Horechko, OSBM officially established a branch of the Apostleship of Prayer at Saint Nicholas Parish.
At first, only eleven women were inducted into the Apostleship, five of them being Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate. By the end of 1922, over 170 parishioners, men and women, had joined.
Until 1984, members met in their private homes. That same year, Parish Priest Father Leon Yakubow, OSBM re-organized the parish branch into a more formal structure, with token membership fees and monthly meetings in Church, consisting of a Moleben to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and a brief sermon.
The names of each member of the organization is kept in a small antique-bound volume at the Basilian Monastery. Short prayers are said by each member daily, especially the morning offering. In particular, the members of the Apostleship pray for a specific monthly intention, assigned by the Holy Father.
Father Christopher Zajac, OSBM served as Chaplain of the Apostleship of Prayer from 1996 to 2004. Currently, Sophie Manulak is Group Leader.
In 2004, St. Nicholas Apostleship of Prayer welcomed 4 new members.
To help implement a pastoral program for the Year of the Eucharist (2004-2005), the Apostleship of Prayer organized a Holy Hour of Adoration, each Friday from 3:00-4:00 pm, in the monastery chapel.