‘The little Indian of the northern Lakes’

“Here we see the little Indian of the northern Lakes becoming one of the Torch-bearers of Christian education in southern Indiana and a notable factor in the expansion of St. Mary-of-the-Woods.” Such are the words about the life of Mother Mary Cecilia Bailly, second general superior of the Sisters of Providence, from the book, “In God’s Acre.”

Mother Mary Cecilia Bailly became the leader of the Congregation upon the death of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin on May 14, 1856. Mother Mary Cecilia had held a variety of leadership positions in the Congregation prior to Mother Theodore’s death. She served as general superior until 1868, leading the Congregation through the difficult years of the Civil War.

Providence Associate Paul Beel (who is also a systems analyst for the Congregation’s IT Department) is an admirer of Mother Mary Cecilia and has spent numerous hours in Archives researching this early leader of the Congregation. The Sisters of Providence web editorial board is pleased to present Paul’s research on the second general superior of the Congregation in our history section. Learn more about Mother Mary Cecilia here.