
- About
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Love, mercy, justice
The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are a community of vowed Catholic women religious. Inspired by our foundress Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, we are passionate about our lives of prayer, education, service and advocacy.
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- Justice
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Break boundaries, create hope
Spirituality and justice go hand-in-hand. We are committed to walking with those on the margins. Join us on our journey to make Earth better for all.
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- Be inspired
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What inspires you?
We all need a little spiritual inspiration sometimes. Let the wisdom of our Providence Community support you on your journey.
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- Visit
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Experience the Woods
From the moment you step onto the grounds at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, you know you're somewhere special. There's something for everyone at the Woods.
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- Get involved
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Where do you fit in?
Reconnect or find new opportunities with the Providence Community. Volunteer in one of our many ministries, be an intern on the farm, explore job opportunities or reminisce about your alma mater.
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- Join
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Join the Providence Family
Live joyfully! Single, Catholic women ages 18-42 are invited to explore a fulfilling life as a Sister of Providence. All women and men of faith are invited to join the family of Providence as Providence Associates.
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- Prayer Requests
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Sister Helen Jean Vinton: a woman for all time
Sister Helen Jean instilled in me the sense that God’s creation given to us must be protected. Her quiet way, her love for God’s creation and her passion for teaching influenced so many young minds.

A Reflection on Sister Helen Jean Vinton
I cannot recall if Sister Helen ever used the words “social justice” she just lived it as an example to her students. So perhaps that is the greatest gift I received from the time spent with Sister Helen. To create a life of purpose and a way of thinking that is bigger than you in a world that needs our care.

Ecological pioneer teacher leaves lasting impression
“[Sister Helen Jean] taught all of us … a way of thinking and living in a much bigger world than most of us had experienced before. Caring for each other, the earth and people we would never know was as normal as breathing to Sister Helen.” — Julia Boarini Conaghan, ’73

The original Earth Mother
Sister Helen was the original Earth Mother.

Of liverwort and shaved eyebrows: Anne Healey remembers Sister Helen Vinton the scientist
I took Biology from Sister Helen [Vinton] as a sophomore at Ladywood-St. Agnes High School [in Indianapolis] and the most memorable lesson I learned from her was a curiosity and appreciation for the minute miracles that occur in nature. For…
French foundress now has “southwestern” look
Something tells me that Taos New Mexico artist JK (Jan) Lamkin and Saint Mother Theodore Guerin would really hit it off.

Our immigrant saint: Saint Mother Theodore Guerin moment
Mother Theodore Guerin came to the United States from France in 1840, an immigrant. Like many immigrants today she did not speak English, she knew very little about the United States and its customs.
Christmas Prayer
Infant Jesus, born among us as a helpless baby, … come into our hearts this day and teach us the meaning of simplicity and how dependent we are on others. … come into our minds this day that we may…

Expanding the story of hospitality
The party was going strong, but Marianne was not there! I inquired and was told that she was out in the courtyard. Were we ever surprised and pleased that just at that moment Marianne was being presented with a pocket watch belonging to her aunt, Sister of Providence Marion Celeste Bisch.

All Saints Day
As a kid, saints always fascinated me. I liked hearing their stories from my Sister of Providence teachers and reading their stories on my own. The martyrs, in my young mind, were the best! I really liked those stories and reveled in the fantasy that someday I, too, would die for my faith, just as they did — burned at the stake or fed to the lions. Well, forget that! Reality soon set in and with it a desire to stay as far away from that kind of suffering (make that any kind of suffering) as possible!

