Reflecting on the Celebration of a Canonization

All I can say is WOW!

Seeing all the people on the sacred grounds of Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, to honor the legacy of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, was truly a remarkable experience.

Sister Sue Paweski dressed as Saint Mother Theodore Guerin next to the statue of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.

First of all, al the planning that went into it was very obvious. All the behind the scenes people: we thank you.

And all the obvious people, we thank you too! It really truly was a trinitarian experience.

We had the pilgrimage, both indoors and outdoors. Walking or seeing the holy sights on these beautiful sacred grounds was an experience of a lifetime.

Who knows? Some people may have walked in the very footsteps that our beautiful, beloved Saint Mother Theodore walked on.

Second, the liturgy was unbelievably sacred. The energy in the room was palpable.

Sister Jan Craven introducing Delphine Duquette, a relative of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.

And to see a relative– Delphine Duquette – of Mother Theodore walk down the aisle in the Church of the Immaculate Conception with her beautiful little girl put a deep smile on everyone’s face.

Delphine had come to the Woods in 2017 to visit the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and other sacred spaces. To see her back for this celebration was indeed special. It was Providential.

The church was packed with friends old and new … who love our dearly beloved Saint of God. All five dioceses of Indiana received a relic of Mother Theodore, which they will proudly display in their dioceses.

And finally, the picnic lunch was perfect. It gave people time to visit and catch up with their lives.

All in all, our Mother Theodore was present in a very deep way. We heard her say, ‘carry on, Daughters and Sons of the Forest!’

Saint Mother Theodore Guerin was canonized a saint on October 15, 2006, by Pope Benedict XVI.

Enjoy these photos from the celebration!