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Sister Denise Wilkinson

Content written by Sister Denise

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Journals and Letters week 48: Direct and loving advice from Mother Theodore

In her letter to Sister Maria, Mother Theodore’s tone seems direct, stern and loving. (How does Mother Theodore so consistently manage blending those seeming opposites?)

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Journals and Letters week 45: Sorrows and shadows

“Indeed it is very difficult, and it requires an uncommon virtue, not to make others suffer when we suffer,” writes Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.

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Journals and Letters week 41: Oh, Maria and other friends

Although she felt affection, appreciation and friendship for each of the people she writes to this week, Mother Theodore is still able to be firm.

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Musings on National Simplicity Day

All of a sudden, the “celebration” of National Simplicity Day turned into a celebration for the affluent. Why celebrate that?

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Journals and Letters week 37: Good for nothing but to love God

We get only a few glimpses of Sister St. Francis Xavier in what we’ve read. But they hint at her character and her friendship with Mother Theodore.

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Journals and Letters week 33: Reasons Mother Theodore may have felt overwhelmed and crabby

Sister Denise Wilkinson, SP, lists the top reasons why she believes Mother Theodore might have been feeling overwhelmed and a bit crabby.

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Reflecting on National Day of Prayer

On this National Day of Prayer, for whom and/or with whom will you raise your mind and heart to God?

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Take a deep breath: spiritual direction during pandemic

“Having Sister Marsha sit, listen, pray and offer her gentle guidance brings the matter up into the light. And once the struggle has been shown the light, the resolution begins.”

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Journals and Letters week 29: Letters to a beloved companion

Judging from her letters to Sister Basilide, Mother Theodore had a special love for “this good and dear” sister. That love demonstrated itself in Mother Theodore’s words of caution, gentle criticism and frank admonishments — always accompanied by words of affection and encouragement.

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Journals and Letters week 25: Making fair progress

Now that the sorrow-burdened years are behind her, Mother Theodore’s attention can return to ensuring the “fair progress” of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and the sisters’ establishing missions across Indiana.

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Journals and Letters week 21: The cross awaits

The cross did await Mother Theodore and her sisters “at every turn.” The conflict with the bishop took many more twists and turns before the rule was approved and the land deeded over. Yet she persisted.

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Prayer

Keep it simple, Silly: A Lenten prayer

Kind – one act of kindness each day of Lent.
Identity – once a day for forty days say, “God loves me as I am.”

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Sister Denise was the general superior of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods from 2006-2016. She previously served as a high school teacher, college administrator, postulant/novice director and director of advancement and communications for the Congregation. Currently, Sister Denise serves the Congregation in various volunteer positions.

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To learn more about Sister Denise, view her sister profile page.