Honoring the Sisters who served our Country

Memorial Day for America is a sacred day as the nation recognizes those who lost their lives during times of war.

While no Sister of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, lost their life during a time of war, 17 Sisters of Providence proudly answered the call of duty to serve our country at those times.

Today, Monday, May 26, 2025, is Memorial Day. A tradition calls for the Sisters of Providence to place a flag on the gravesite of Sisters of Providence or Chaplains in the Convent Cemetery who served our country.

Of the 17 Sisters of Providence who served, 11 did so during the American Civil War, including Sisters St. Felix Buchanan, Helena Burns, Frances Ann Carney, Athanasius Fogarty, Eugenia Gorman, Sophie Glenn, Mary Francis Guthneck, Henrietta MacKenzie, Mary Louise Malone, Mary Rose O’Donaghue and Matilda Swinley.

Those 11 Sisters served in military hospitals located in Indianapolis and Vincennes during the Civil War.

Six of those Sisters are buried in the Convent Cemetery with tombstones that recognize their service as “U.S. Army Nurse Civil War.”

Other Sisters of Providence who have passed away but served include:

• The late Sister Catherine Hartman, who served as a lieutenant in the Women’s Reserve in the U.S. Marine Corps before entering the Congregation,
• The late Sister Merry Marcotte, who served as a volunteer Red Cross medical social worker during the Vietnam War, and
• The late Sister Ruth Sondhaus, who served in World War II in Naval Intelligence before entering the Congregation.

In addition, two other Sisters of Providence who are still living also need to be recognized.

Sister Josephine Bryan served as a registered nurse in the Vietnam War as a volunteer for Catholic Relief Services. Currently, Sister Josephine ministers as a volunteer visitor at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista, California. She has been a Sister of Providence for 70 years.

In addition, Sister Patricia “Pat” Linehan served in the Navy Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War on the U.S. Naval hospital ship, Repose, before entering the Congregation. Currently, Sister Pat ministers as a freelance artist in the Terre Haute area and has been a Sister of Providence for 32 years.

Take some time today to remember all of those who lost their lives during times of war while serving and protecting America, and to thank the Sisters of Providence who helped during times of war.