Blog
Welcome to our blog. Here, we will share with you stories of our lives as Sisters of Providence. We invite Providence Associates to write in this space also. We hope you find these posts enjoyable and inspirational.
Providence Associates retreat with Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
See photos of Providence Associates and Sisters of Providence gathered March 7-9 for a retreat on Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. Together they explored her life and virtues and spent time in prayer and reflection, including an all-night vigil at Saint Mother Theodore's shrine.
Sister Patty Wallace walks in the footsteps of her elder sisters
Sister Patty stands on the shoulders and walks in the footsteps of Sisters of Providence who taught, encouraged, listened to, and challenged her to continue to give the best of herself in ministry, prayer, and living the vows in our community. Read more...
From peaches to Poe
Dr. Sidney Doane, who showed Mother Theodore and her companions great kindness when they arrived in New York in 1840, also inspired another 19th century writer: Edgar Allan Poe himself.
A Valentine’s Day reflection for 2014
Sister Denise Wilkinson, general superior, asks us "how are our hearts physically and/or metaphorically," this Valentine's Day? How will we answer?
God provides experiences for a reason
Joy is an example of why I continue to choose this ministry. I meet people like him on every trip. The details of their stories are a little different, but the struggles are real. Their faith is real, and their love of God is also very real.
Bonjour to all!
The construction of the permanent shrine to Saint Mother Theodore is underway! Learn more about what the French Room has in store for visitors, as you journey with a saint.
A historical snapshot of the SP human rights efforts
The Sisters of Providence join with others in celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The Congregation has a long legacy of supporting human rights and other social justice issues.
Winter solstice ritual
Tomorrow is the first day of winter, the longest night of the year.
The following is adapted from "Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim," by Edward Hays.
Materials needed: solstice candle; a fire pit, if possible, if you will be outside or a fireplace indoors; smaller candles for everyone; flash light for the leader.
(Begin by sitting in darkness for a short time)
Leader: Let us take into our hands a solstice candle
or Let us light the sacred solstice fire.
We pray on the night of ancient fear, when those who have gone before us were fearful of what lurked outside the ring of fire of light and warmth. They feared all that prowled in the darkness: evil, disease, death, beasts that might destroy them and the hidden dangers of winter.
Light candle or fire
“Put yourself gently into the hands of Providence.”
After a lot of deliberation and an invitation for input from sisters and associates, the quote that will be inscribed on the limestone platform that will support Saint Mother Theodore's coffin, has been decided.
Human Rights Day and Saint Mother Theodore
Saint Mother Theodore Guerin knew the violation of human rights in an up close and personal way in her home country, France. The French Revolution was a time of great social and political upheaval to abolish the injustice of the feudal system and absolute monarchy. During this time Catholic churches and schools were closed. Despite some gains in human rights, the French Revolution failed to condemn slavery or to uphold the equality of women.
Reclaim the season of Advent
Advent is my favorite season of the Liturgical Year. I love this quiet time before Christmas.
It isn’t a penitential time like Lent. It is a time of quiet anticipation.
Anticipation is naturally in the air. Children certainly anticipate Santa Claus and time off from school. Adults anticipate a break from work, getting together with family and friends, the chance to kick back and relax from the frenzied pace of life.
Advent is the season of waiting and longing. Our society makes it almost impossible to wait.
I noticed that Christmas TV programming began in early November. Certainly, Christmas advertising and shopping crept in even earlier — before Halloween!
The greatest challenge in Advent is to refrain from celebrating Christmas. Christmas is coming and it will be more than a day. In fact, there are 12 days for celebration, as the song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” suggests (Christmas Eve on Dec. 24 through Epiphany on Jan. 6).
String pulled on the Ginkgo tree this week
My favorite tree – and I have hundreds to choose from here at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods – is the huge Ginkgo tree in front of Corbe House, where I live.
The tree is huge! Sister Rose Ann Eaton and I just went out to measure the circumference of the trunk – 205 inches! While engaged in this pursuit, Rose told me a story she had heard from Sister Marceline Mattingly now in her nineties. Marceline remembers when the Ginkgo tree had only a single trunk. A storm broke the tree down near its base. As the tree regrew, it developed the multiple trunks very evident today. The tree’s shaggy bark, many trunks melding into one another and the sheer width of the branches lend distinctiveness, character and interest to “my” tree.