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.
Life is changed … not ended
Autumn, in all its beauty and decline, reminds us that this is a time to harvest our blessings in a spirit of thanksgiving, as well as a time for letting go and preparing for the season ahead.
Warm hearts welcome postulant Anna Fan
The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods welcome postulant Anna Fan in a heart-warming entrance ceremony on Nov. 13.
22 New Providence Associates
“It’s an honor to represent this community of strong, progressive women religious. I recall a quote from Saint Mother Theodore: ‘We are not called upon to do all the good possible, but only that which we can do!’ I want to do what ‘I CAN do’ as an associate to help the Sisters of Providence continue their mission of love, mercy and justice,” says Diana M. Garza, one of 22 women and men who recently made first commitments as Providence Associates.
Journey of the Spirit: companioning a Providence Associate Candidate
When we began our journey a year ago, we were strangers. As we reach this milestone, we have become companions on the journey with a Provident God who often surprises us with twists and turns along the path.
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.