
- About
-
-
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.
-
-
- Justice
-
-
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.
-
-
- Be inspired
-
-
What inspires you?
We all need a little spiritual inspiration sometimes. Let the wisdom of our Providence Community support you on your journey.
-
-
- Visit
-
-
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.
-
-
- Get involved
-
-
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.
-
-
- Join
-
-
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.
-
-
- Prayer Requests
- Contact us
- Donate

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.

Letter: Jan. 13, 1853
"Be careful not to give way to your temper, which makes you unsupportable. You would be a thousand times happier in resisting it," wrote Mother Theodore on Jan. 13, 1853.

Visiting the birth place of Mother Marie Gratia Luking
October has been quite a busy month for the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. The month featured Saint Mother Theodore’s birthday (Oct. 2), Feast Day (Oct. 3), eighth anniversary of her canonization (Oct. 15), Foundation Day (Oct. 22) and…

Walking with Providence Associate brings burst of energy
“Because she’s so outgoing and so enthusiastic, I think she’s helped me recapture some of that enthusiasm for the Woods. And her spirituality too. Sometimes it’s easy when you go about your day, it gets kind of humdrum. But when somebody gets super excited, which she does, it’s contagious. It just awakens you,” says Sister Peggy Nau of her experience as a companion to Providence Associate candidate Jane Fischer over the past year.

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!

Reflection on Shrine: Father Mark Joseph Costello
Father Mark Joseph Costello recalls working on the Shrine for Saint Mother Theodore Guerin

Reflections on Shrine for Saint Mother Theodore
Hundreds of pilgrims traveled to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, on Saturday, Oct. 25, as the Sisters of Providence officially opened the Shrine for Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, giving people the chance to “Journey with a Saint.” Sister Jan Craven, director of…

Sharing stories, building relationships
An important part of the orientation toward becoming Providence Associates is the sharing of stories.
Several spoke of seeking something more in their lives, of seeking a deeper spirituality.
One young woman saw this as a way to keep her accountable to community service. Another was seeking intentionality.
Several were friends of Providence Associates who had heard their tales of life-giving experience as a Providence Associate and were looking for the same.

ONE of several, but Indiana’s first
Mother Theodore is one of several U.S. saints, but Indiana's very first!

2 days and 2 ways to read Journals and Letters
We are only two days away from the Grand Opening Celebration of the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore! Find out the two ways you can read "Journals and Letters of Mother Theodore."

Three countries of heritage: France, Taiwan and U.S.
On day three prior to the Oct. 25 public opening of the shrine, I’d like to focus on just three countries that have played a significant role in the 174 years since our foundation in 1840: France, United States and China. From France to America to China, the call to mission is basic to our history.

A living Land Ethic
True confessions of a former White Violet Center intern: staff meetings were sometimes a chance to daydream ... but when we met to hear more about the Sisters of Providence Land Ethic I quickly found that this would not be that kind of staff meeting. This was big.
