Blessing of new ‘green space’ begins 2024 annual meeting

The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, joined by their Providence Associates, kicked off their 2024 annual meetings on Saturday with a blessing of a new green space located in the northern section of the grounds.

Sisters of Providence General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski said the purpose of the blessing was to “take time to reflect on the gift of our land and the gift of the indigenous people who once lived on this land.”

Sister Dawn admitted that while the Sisters of Providence currently occupy the land of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, the land once belonged to Native American tribes before settlers entered the area.

A Nationwide Effort

Sister Dawn said many religious communities nationwide are joining in this effort, including 10 groups within the Women of Providence of Collaboration – a group of religious congregations bearing the name and charism of Providence.

“It is also a movement within the communities of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). It really is a movement within a lot of faith groups,” Sister Dawn said.

Sister Dawn said many religious communities have already started giving back to indigenous peoples in various ways.

“Some have started giving donations,” she said. “And some have given back land. We’re going to figure out something to do. What is Providence calling us to do now?”

A ‘Time of Reflection’

The blessing began with a time of reflection followed by a discussion led by White Violet Center for Eco-Justice Farm Manager John-Michael Elmore, who talked about what is being done with the land now.

During the annual meeting, Sister Barbara Battista delivered the Congregation’s “Land Acknowledgement.” This commitment sets the tone for future initiatives of the Sisters of Providence which will focus on tangible actions to support the history of indigenous peoples.

“The Sisters of Providence acknowledge that our presence here today is a direct result of historical forced migrations, attempted erasures, and on-going exclusions of indigenous peoples who had lived and prospered on this land for many generations prior to the arrival of European colonizers,” Sister Barbara said.

She continued, “We therefore pledge to move beyond mere words of repentance and to develop programs, policies and actions that fully embody our commitment to the rights of indigenous peoples and to racial equity and equality for all humankind.”

‘Ritual of Healing’

The closing of the blessing was led by Sister Joni Luna who led those in attendance in a ritual of healing and blessing of the new green space.

“Ultimately, we decided the space offered us the opportunity to share something of our beliefs and values,” Sister Dawn said. “And it will also become a location for interpretive signage that will tell the story of this land, how it came to be, what Native Peoples lived here and what led to their removal from this land.