History of the Prayer of Reunion

The Prayer of Reunion has been an important part of the history of the Sisters of Providence from our early beginnings in France. The prayer was an important way for sisters to stay connected to one another especially when at a distance.

How very important this prayer must have been to Mother Theodore Guerin and her companions as they left France in 1840 to establish the Congregation at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

For years, the Prayer of Reunion began, “We unite with all our sisters wherever they be. …” As our relationship with our Providence Associates and our co-workers in mission and ministry deepened and grew, many sisters desired to better articulate that relationship in our prayer.

During our General Chapter meeting in 2011, the sisters agreed to change the wording of our Prayer of Reunion to read, “We unite with all our sisters and all who share the charism of Providence, wherever they may be. …”

The word “charism” means “gift or favor given.” Thus, we unite with all who share the gift that is Providence. Every time this Prayer of Reunion is prayed, each staff member, each Providence Associate, each Sister of Providence and all of our partners in mission “wherever they may be” are included.