Docent of the Moment: Sister Barbara Bluntzer and Her Jubilee Year Ministry

Sister Barbara Bluntzer, SP, came home to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in 2018. At the time, the Sister of Providence was unsure what her new ministry would be.

She was certainly unaware she would end up involved in a ministry so important, particularly in 2025.

For more than a year, Sister Barbara has served as a docent or, tour guide, meeting with visitors and guiding them through many of the indoor places at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, including the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

This year, the Catholic Church is celebrating a year of jubilee. The theme, granted by the late Pope Francis on Christmas Eve 2024, is “Pilgrims of Hope.”

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis, under the guidance of Archbishop Charles Thompson, declared four pilgrimage sites, including the Church of the Immaculate Conception and Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.

Visiting Pilgrims

Throughout this year, Sister Barbara has encountered many pilgrims who were seeing the hallowed grounds of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for the very first time, among countless others who have been here before.

“I’ve enjoyed this ever since I began,” Sister Barbara said. “Some of the pilgrims already know something about Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, but I’ve met with several first-time visitors on their way home from vacation. I try to always be available. I could be notified of a tour group at the last minute.”

Sister Barbara said many of the visitors have one thing in common when they walk inside the Church.

“There’s always a sense of awe when they come into the church,” she reflected. “They look at the windows and the marble. It shows on their face. You can tell they are impressed.”

All Are Welcome

All pilgrims and visitors are invited to spend time with the Sisters of Providence this year and explore more about Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. They can enjoy the beauty within the Church and stay for Mass. Pilgrims and people of all faith traditions are also invited to join the Congregation during the second Tuesday of each month for ecumenical Taizé Prayer services.

Sister Barbara added that when she guides visitors through the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, many of them are learning about the Eighth American Saint and Indiana’s only saint for the first time, including seeing many artifacts within the Shrine that Mother Theodore actually used.
“They are very respectful,” Sister Barbara said. “When we first get in the shrine, we sit there in quiet for quite some time. Then I explain what happened to Mother Theodore.”

She said many of these pilgrims are enthralled with one item.
“Many of them are so impressed by the picture of Mother Theodore made with rice,” Sister Barbara said, referring to the picture which hangs in the hallway of Providence Spirituality & Conference Center. It was commissioned in Vietnam and gifted by the family of Sister My Huong Pham, SP.

Digging Deep

Sister Barbara said she loves to delve into Mother Theodore’s story, particularly with those not familiar with her.
“I love to talk about the struggle she had in ministry early on,” Sister Barbara admitted. “She had so much opposition and many difficulties establishing the Congregation and the schools.

“And then I explain what happened to her and how she was never in very good health throughout her life.”

Sister Barbara said that ultimately, she hopes that providing these tours will offer a better understanding to visitors and pilgrims of the Sisters of Providence.

“I hope they understand us,” she said. “I think they do.”

All pilgrims and visitors are invited to walk in the footsteps of Mother Theodore and the Sisters of Providence this holy year.

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Originally published in the fall 2025 issue of HOPE magazine.