Sister Leslie Dao enters the novitiate

Sister Leslie Dao is officially a novice with the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods! Sister Leslie entered the novitiate on Aug. 14, 2022, in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Click here to read General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski’s reflection from the ceremony. During the next year, Sister Leslie will study Scripture, Congregation and Church history, and develop a deeper connection to God, her community and the world. Learn more about the process of becoming a Sister of Providence here

Photos by Casey Kellum and Sister Joni Luna

Sister Leslie enters the church for her entrance to the novitiate ceremony.

Sister Norene Wu prays a blessing over Sister Leslie.

General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski places the SP novice cross on Sister Leslie.

Sister Dawn and the community gathered to bless Sister Leslie.

Sister Leslie with her novice director Sister Norene Wu

The new novice Sister Leslie is greeted by Sisters Ann Margaret O’Hara and Su-Hsin Huang.

Sister Leslie, next to a Vietnamese portait of Saint Mother Theodore made out of rice, shows off her new SP novice cross.

Sister Paula Damiano, right, greets Sister Leslie after the ceremony.

Sister Leslie is greeted by Sister My Huong Pham.

Sister Leslie with her postulant director Sister Marsha Speth.