Education

Perhaps you were taught by the Sisters of Providence. Since the founding of the Congregation in 1840, the sisters have been educators in Catholic schools and parishes in the US, the District of Columbia and Taiwan.

Mother Theodore as a young sister taught in various French parishes before agreeing to come to the US to help educate Catholic immigrants, in response to a plea from the bishop of Vincennes, Indiana.

“Love the children first, then teach them.”

Foundress Saint Mother Theodore Guerin

Shortly after arriving at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Mother Theodore began work to open an academy for girls (now known as Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College) and later established schools throughout Indiana and Illinois.

Did you know Mother Theodore always tried to offer a free school in addition to paid educational opportunities, to ensure that all children had the chance to receive a quality education?

For many years, most women who entered the Congregation had a teaching ministry in mind. The Sisters of Providence were known as educators. The Second Vatican Council urged women religious to address the needs of the times, so sisters began to pursue degrees in other areas, to select ministries tailored to their specific gifts and talents and to expand their areas of service. However, regardless of the ministry, the sisters today still claim their educational roots, believing strongly that education is a basic component of every SP ministry. Individual sisters serve as educators in a variety of ways as well.

Learn more about some of our sponsored entities:

• Providence University in Taiwan
• Providence Cristo Rey
• Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College