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

Archives: Keeper of the Stories
This article is reprinted from the summer 2012 issue of HOPE. “Not to know what happened before you were born is to be a child forever.” — Cicero, by way of Sister Marie Esther Sivertsen The Sisters of Providence have…

Connecting with Creation
This article is reprinted from the summer 2012 issue of HOPE The Sisters of Providence have been connecting with creation since their foundation more than 170 years ago. “We have a little green-house where we shelter our flowers from the…
Prisoners & Probationers of Conscience
Throughout the history of SOA Watch’s yearly vigils at the SOA/WHINSEC at Ft. Benning, Ga., various participants have chosen to take direct action by breaking federal law and trespassing onto the military base. After prayerful consideration and discernment, several Sisters…

A bit of anti-racism history
The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods have a long history against racism and issues of discrimination. The Congregation’s foundress, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, was concerned about the welfare and freedom of a group of slaves she saw in Louisiana…

‘Nuns of the Battlefield’
First published in 1927, “Nuns of the Battlefield” was written by Ellen Ryan Jolly. In this book, the author gives a description of the women religious congregations that provided medical aid during the Civil War. Many of these religious congregations…

Tribute to sisters in Vincennes
From time to time, The Vincennes Weekly Sun ran articles on the emergency hospital in that city. Much of the praise for this medical facility was directed toward Sisters St. Felix Buchanan and Sophie Glenn and Dr. Baty, who was…

Vincennes emergency hospital
In addition to their work at the Military Hospital in Indianapolis, the Sisters of Providence also had charge of the emergency hospital in Vincennes, Ind., that was opened in July and August of 1861 and then again on May 29,…

Sisters who served during the Civil War
Sister St. Felix Buchanan Sister Helena Burns Sister Frances Ann Carney Sister Athanasius Fogarty Sister Sophie Glenn Sister Eugenia Gorman Sister Mary Francis Guthneck Sister Henrietta MacKenzie Sister Mary Louise Malone Sister Mary Rose O’Donaghue Sister Matilda Swinley Sisters Mary…

Civil War diary entries
In the Sisters of Providence Archives there is a bound transcription of the diary of General Superior Mother Mary Cecilia Bailly. She served as general superior after the death of Mother Theodore Guerin in 1856 until 1868, covering the turbulent…

Tribute to Sister Athanasius
Sister Athanasius Fogarty, directress of the Military Hospital in Indianapolis during the Civil War, was greatly respected as a sister-nurse. She served at the hospital from May 17, 1861, to August 1865. The necrology (obituary) in the Sisters of Providence…

Sister Barbara Sheehan
Current ministry: Executive director and CPE supervisor in Urban CPE Consortium, Inc. in Chicago Years in the Congregation: 46 years Something that I have always wanted to do: Give service in Africa September 30, 2006 I celebrated my 50th anniversary…

Sister Cathy Buster
Download Complete Interview with Sister Cathy Buster Current ministry: consultant Years in the Congregation: 54 Contact Sister Cathy at: cathybsp@verizon.net Q. What do you like most about Saint Mary-of-the-Woods? A. The peace, quiet and the serenity of this holy ground.…
