There was no Wabash Avenue bridge. The crossing of the Wabash was made by ferry—probably a flat-bottomed open raft. Arrival on the other side was followed by a carriage ride through the river bottoms on and at times wholly submerged plank road—a soggy, wet, carriage ride during which the horses were at times literally swimming, with water up to their necks. The carriage tipped sideways twice, its wheels caught on tree roots. Later, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin would write, “When one has nothing more to lose, the heart is inaccessible to fear.”
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“I tell parents we are training students today for jobs that don’t exist,” she said. “We hope we’re not assuming people know what we stand for and what we have accomplished. We’re telling them who we are. You have to be on the front side of innovation and the Sisters of Providence have always been very forward-thinking.
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“The Congregation members support each other through difficult challenges and situations. No one works through the difficulties alone. Through several sisters, I see a passion for mission, ministry, prayer, and community, which is contagious,” Sister Dina said.
Three of our newest Sisters of Providence recently shared their thoughts about the future. Sisters Arrianne Whittaker and Dina Bato are temporarily professed and Sister Joni Luna is a novice in her second year of formation.
And now, for the first time, Journals and Letters of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin is available as an e-book too!
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“I suppose I could survive without the Sisters of Providence, but I don’t see that happening. When you’re drawn, you’re drawn – and neither the Sisters nor I can move far enough away from each other to diminish the pull. Ever.”
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This Rooted for Tomorrow story was contributed by Rosaline Secrest for the 175th anniversary of the Sisters of Providence arriving in Indiana. For more than 30 years, I have been…
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This Rooted for Tomorrow story was contributed by Mel Marino Wolff for the 175th anniversary of the Sisters of Providence arriving in Indiana. There are so many ways in which…
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Born at Le Mans, France, June 15, 1800, Sister St. Vincent would have been 40 when the sisters arrived in Indiana, making her older than everyone except Mother Theodore (who was two years older).
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Described as a “lively, impetuous character,” Sister Basilide likely came from a family of above-average means, as she provided a dowry when she entered the congregation at Ruillé.
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The sister who had, by far, the most physical labors at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods was Sister Olympiade. She came on the mission at Mother Theodore’s suggestion. The two had worked together at Soulaines, where Sister Olympiade served as cook and assisted Mother Theodore on visits to the sick.
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The portraits below of our founding sisters are from a 1990 article by Sister Joseph Eleanor Ryan (RIP) in the former SP publication Community. We share the profiles of these sisters — each extraordinary in her own way — in celebration of all who devoted themselves to the work of Providence. These women were the roots of our tomorrow.
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In the Sisters of Providence Mission Advancement office, Sister Liguori is a bit of a legend. She was the object of one of Mother Theodore’s funniest journal lines. During a storm on the Atlantic, Mother Theodore wrote:
Read moreWelcome to our features page. Here, we will share with you updates on what is currently happening within our Congregation. Feel free to take time to explore the area.
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