Ministry of prayer and smiles offer light

“I smile a lot, too. Smiles and prayer — they just cover it all when you can’t do much else.” — Sister Elaine Doucette

Calls come in often asking for prayers from the Sisters of Providence. People send prayer requests through our web site at SistersofProvidence.org and through the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and the National Shrine of Our Lady of Providence.

We Sisters of Providence are honored to be entrusted by so many who are in need of prayer. Prayer is integral to the life of every Sister of Providence.

Our relationship with God forms us and guides us and gives us the strength to serve the needs of others day after day. Indeed, it is one way we serve others.

Powerhouse of prayer

We Sisters of Providence rely on our “powerhouse of prayer” as some call our sisters who reside in our health care facilities. These sisters receive a “ministry assignment” each year to pray for particular intentions. These intentions may be as specific as an individual’s name or more general, such as “for all addicted to alcohol or drugs” or “for those affected by divorce.”

The sisters find their prayer ministry gives them purpose.

Sister Peggy Lynch, SP, (formerly Sister James Patrick) reflected, “I value prayer; it is all I can do right now.”

“When I pray for vocations,” offered Sister Charles Ellen Turk, SP, “I pray for the parents of our sisters, our greatest benefactors and vocation ministers. It gives me a sense of serving.”

The sisters know that people value their prayer. Sister Agnes Mary Raetz, SP, noted, “Prayer is powerful and I believe that God listens. I believe my prayer, direct to God, does not go unanswered.”

Smiles and prayer

Coupled with her prayer, Sister Elaine Doucette, SP, (formerly Sister Elaine Marie), residing in Providence Health Care, added, “I smile a lot, too. Smiles and prayer — they just cover it all when you can’t do much else.”

Our foundress Saint Mother Theodore Guerin said it well, “What strength the soul derives from prayer! In the midst of a storm, how sweet is the calm it finds [there].”

(Originally published in the Winter 2017 issue of HOPE magazine.)