Poems from Sister Mary Theodosia Mug

Many are familiar with the story surrounding the life of Sister Mary Theodosia Mug. But there might be some information you may not know about.

Born Helen Mug in Attica, Indiana, in 1860, she attended the Academy, what is now Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. She graduated in 1877 and entered the Congregation. Sister Mary Theodosia was a teacher and writer. In fact, her book about the life of Mother Theodore Guerin was published in 1904.

She lived through many health challenges, but her conditions worsened in 1906 after being diagnosed with breast cancer. All the while, she also suffered from a tumor in her abdomen, making it difficult to walk.

On October 30, 1908, Sister Mary Theodosia prayed at the tomb of Mother Theodore in the crypt of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, not for herself, but for Sister Joseph Therese O’Connell, who was ill.

The following day, Sister Mary Theodosia’s health improved.

Her story was the first miracle attributed to Mother Theodore Guerin on her path to sainthood.

Knowing she had a published book, were you aware she was also a published poet?

Many of her poems were published in “Thoughts for You and Me,” a bound copy of poetry composed by many Sisters of Providence. The book was released in 1925 and included a preface written by Reverend James H. Ryan – who ministered as chaplain and professor of psychology at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

We wanted to share some of Sister Mary Theodosia’s poems with you.

Providence

In Gentleness, in might,
In paths of light
And darksome leadings oft;
In sorrow’s cloud, surprise
In joy’s fair guise
And cadence sweet and soft;
In wondrous hope, in peace,
In doubt’s surcease,
And faith’s omnipotence;
Comes ever to our view,
The ages through,
A loving Providence.

To Mother Theodore

May we hear what Angels whisper as we gaze
Upon the smiles thy tender lips are framing?
May we guess the secret heard in childhood days
Amid the listening rocks, thy future naming?
O wondrous child! How near was heaven to earth
That bright October feast that saw thy birth!
How near when, Holy First Communion Day,
Celestial cohorts bore they Vow away!
Dear sainted Mother, when the forest dense
Of after years entranced thy heart and spirit,
What was the Angel’s word, the joy immense,
Vouchsafed thee oft? – Ah, would we too might heart it! –
Swift glimpsing of the greater bliss to be,
When passing happiness had gone from thee,
And in the bosom of Eternal Love
With Angels thou woudst live the Life Above.

Saint Ann’s Shell Chapel

Cherished shrine of grateful homage,
Telling how the good St. Ann
Heard the vow of storm-tossed clients
When the ocean’s rage began.
Mother of the Star of Ocean!
Mother of Our Queen benign!
Thine with Mary’s name forever
Lives in this our hallowed shrine.

To My God

O Heart of my heart,
O Joy of my joy!
Be all my delight
In Thy sole employ.
Whate’er may betide,
Let nothing us part,
And nothing divide,
O Heart of my heart.

My Guardian Angel

Day by day and night by night
Guards me, this dear Angel bright
Sent from realms of heavenly light.
Be my course ‘mid clear or maze,
Paths delightful, darksome ways,
Ever at my side he stays.
Safely to my princely guide
All my worries I confide;
Fears and woes he’ll turn aside.
So by night and so by day,
Sweetly on he leads the way;
How I love his courtly sway.