Celebrating 10 years as a Saint of God!

Join the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, throughout the month of October to celebrate 10 years of the canonization of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin! Get to know the woman behind the saint and why she continues to inspire people today!

The month-long celebration will officially begin on Monday, Oct. 3, with an 11 a.m. Mass to celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. Another special Mass will take place at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Oct. 22, in celebration of Foundation Day.

In 1998, Pope John Paul II granted the title of “Blessed” to Mother Theodore Guerin, signifying she was a holy woman worthy of honor and veneration. And on Oct. 15, 2006, The Catholic Church recognized Mother Theodore Guerin as a saint, as she was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI during a ceremony at St. Peter’s Square in Rome.

Mother Theodore came to the United  States from France in 1840 to establish a Congregation of religious women. After a journey of more than three months across the Atlantic Ocean, she and her five sister companions arrived at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to a dense forest and primitive conditions.

From those origins, a vibrant Congregation was given life that is sustained to this day through Mother Theodore’s foresight, legacy and energy, which continues to motivate the generations of sisters who have followed in her footsteps.

People worldwide continue to contact the Congregation for information about Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, and to request prayers through her intercession.

Festivities will continue throughout the month and will include the workshop “Mother Theodore: Who Can Fill Her Shoes,” which will focus on the life of Mother Mary Cecilia Bailly and how she continued Saint Mother Theodore Guerin’s mission by stepping into the shoes of Indiana’s first saint. The workshop will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

Other workshops taking place during the month of October include the 12-Step Healing Retreat and Praying with the Mystics of Assisi and Indiana, both of which take place on Saturday, Oct. 15; Song of My Heart Retreat on Saturday, Oct. 22; and Dance of the Spirit: The Seven Steps of Women’s Spirituality on Saturday, Oct. 29. Register online for these workshops at Events.SistersofProvidence.org, or by calling 812-535-2952 or emailing jfrost@spsmw.org.

White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, also has two scheduled workshops during the month, including Cooking a Feast on Thursday, Oct. 6, and Beginning Spinning on Saturday, Oct. 15. Register online for these workshops at Events.WhiteViolet.org, or by calling 812-535-2932 or emailing wvc@spsmw.org.

And don’t forget the ecumenical Taizé Prayer gathering from 7-8 p.m., on Tuesday, October 11, in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

During the month, learn more about Saint Mother Theodore Guerin’s history by exploring the grounds of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. There are many different tours offered, including an indoor tour of the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and the National Shrine of Our Lady of Providence; an outdoor tour of the Grotto of Our Lady of the Lourdes, Saint Anne Shell Chapel, the Log Cabin Chapel, Stations of the Cross and more; and a tour of WVC to visit with the alpacas!

Pilgrimages and tours may be arranged for those who wish to visit the grounds or pray at Saint Mother Theodore’s shrine, by contacting Providence Spirituality & Conference Center at 812-535-2945.