The wisdom of Saint Mother Theodore: Letter to Sister Maria

Letter from Saint Mother Theodore to Sister Maria in Madison, Ind.

Nov. 24, 1854

“I am sorry, my dear Sister, that you have yielded again to your caprices. You must make another copy of the pieces of music you destroyed. We shall see later what will be done with them. Think no more about these faults, now that you have acknowledged them. If they come back to your mind, humble yourself without falling into discouragement. Do not omit your Communions. As soon as you commit a fault be sorry, rise again and go on with confidence and love. When you do the contrary your imagination works and you go on from bad to worse.

“Profit by the experiences of the past for the future. Accept the humiliation of losing your pupils in the spirit of penance. I have requested Sister Basilide to let you do the washing, without having told her that you asked to be permitted to do it. If you have time, I wish you would knit me, in your leisure moments, a woolen petticoat for winter. It should not be too wide. Do not make it too long either. You have nice yarn at Madison, and I know Sister Basilide will be willing to buy some for me. I know too that you will be pleased to work for your devoted old Mother. …” (“Journals and Letters,” pages 383-384).

Today, Saint Mother Theodore would check out the fiber at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice.