Welcome Providence André Benjamin!

The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, are happy to announce the birth of the newest member of the alpaca herd at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence.

Providence André Benjamin was born on Oct. 9, surrounded by White Violet Center staff, interns and six students from Creighton University who were on their alternative fall break. Providence André Benjamin’s mother is Providence Justice, and his father is Providence Raphael Anthony – also known as Tony.

Providence André Benjamin weighed approximately 13 pounds at birth and looks like his mother, who is a bay black alpaca. His grandmother, Providence Lilah, and great-grandmother, Providence Onyx, were also there to welcome him.

The staff at White Violet Center agreed on the name Providence André Benjamin for many reasons. Saint André Bessette was a Canadian priest member of the Holy Cross religious community.

In addition, Saint Benjamin was a deacon who lived in Persia (present-day Iran) in the late 5th Century. He was also known for his devotion of faith.

At this time, White Violet Center has three crias (baby alpacas) and they are all boys. In addition to Providence André Benjamin, there is also Providence Jack Francis, who was born on Sept. 18, and Providence Pax Terre, who was born on June 6.

Providence André Benjamin and Providence Jack Francis have already started running and jumping together and they will be introduced to Providence Pax Terre soon as he is quite a bit larger than both of the recent crias.

Stop by the alpaca farm to visit with both Providence André Benjamin and Providence Jack Francis and don’t forget to come out to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 1-4 p.m., for our Alpacas and Friends Open Barn Tour.