Join us in reading the “Journals and Letters” of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
To know her is to love her. This phrase is a perfect way to describe our beloved foundress, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. But how can you really know a person who died over 160 years ago? It’s actually pretty easy if that person was an avid writer who meticulously kept a journal throughout her life and wrote many letters that have all been well documented. I am, of course, referring to the book, Mother Theodore Guerin: Journals and Letters.
October kickoff
October is a special month for the Sisters of Providence. We celebrate Saint Mother Theodore’s birthday on Oct. 2, her Feast Day on Oct. 3, her canonization where she officially became a saint on Oct. 15 and Foundation Day when she arrived at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on Oct. 22. In fact this is the 180th anniversary of Mother Theodore and her companions’ arrival.
So, to celebrate her life and many accomplishments that continue even today, we will be revisiting her own words by reading “Journals and Letters” over the course of a year. Each week we’ll read several pages and reacquaint ourselves with the woman who started it all. On Sundays, several of us will take turns and share some of our thoughts on our website about what we have read. Sounds fun right? Please join the journey and read along with us! Then comment with your thoughts. Get to know the real woman whose ordinary life produced extraordinary outcomes. If we generate enough interest, maybe we can all meet sometime in-person or virtually.
Get ready to re-live history!
If you need a copy of “Journals and Letters,” you can purchase one from Linden Leaf Gifts or you can buy it and download it. So, this week, get your book ready and read the introduction. Next Sunday, we will read from page 1 to page 10, second paragraph and discuss it here on the blog. We can’t wait to find out what you think. See you on the website!
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Mary Riley, I love that you and others are leading this wonderful opportunity of getting to know better our Beloved Mother Theodore Guerin! 💕🙏🥰🌎
Thanks! Merci! Gracias!
Thanks Sister Mary! I spoke to a few interns about joining us and I think they are interested. One even expressed interest in writing for our project.
This is a wonderful idea! I was just getting started on my own, but it will be so much better with everyone else.
What a wonderful idea! I look forward it
What a wonderful idea! Thanks you for the invitation to join in. I look forward to it
Thanks for initiating this sharing, Mary! Blessings to all who are participating. Mother Theodore must be smiling on them.
I love this idea! I have been wanting to re-read her book for some time and with this creative and collaborative idea, I have taken Mother Theodore’s book off my bookshelf! I’m looking forward to this yearlong journey of reacquainting myself with her words. Thank you Mary!
Cathy Dearing , PA
I’m in. Daily I read from Mother Guerin’s “Letters and Journals.” Sister Mary Theodosia Mugg edited them and did an incredible job. I’m an retired journalist and I just wanted Sister Mugg to get a credit.
As I read this it will begin Oct. 18, 2020. And we can read it and comment each week as we have time.
Is there a schedule for what sections will be read when?
Hi Susan, We just added the first half of the year schedule here: https://spsmw.org/tag/smtg-book-study/
I did not know of this blog on “Mother Theodore Guerin: Journals and Letters” until I saw the notice in “Hope, Winter 2021”– I’m guessing you may be up to about pg 80, if you started in Oct. In any case, I’d like to know how to read along & share insights & responses with you.
I purchased a copy at my SMWC “golden reunion” in May 2018. However, I didn’t begin reading until about Dec. 2019. (I’m a slow reader–perhaps because I annotate a lot, a habit I fully developed during a couple decades of teaching HS English and college adjuncting theatre and composition.)
I became fully immersed in Mother Theodore’s writings about the time Covid 19 was roaring its horrible head in NYC during March 2020. I’d only left my apt there 6 months earlier & was living full time in my NY Catskills abode.
When you reach page 280–spoiler alert–you will be struck by her fear, prescience, wisdom and leadership as she addresses a cholera epidemic, which became a pandemic spreading in waves for decades.
This book could be a college course because it is rich in history and courage with a voice that speaks timelessly.
Thanks for the comment, Midge. Glad you have enjoyed “Journals and Letters.” Here is the listing of all the reading pages we have covered so far. We’d love to have you join the conversation!https://spsmw.org/tag/smtg-book-study/