- 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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![Built in thanksgiving for the end of the Great War — World War I (1914-1918) — the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes was begun in 1918 in a ravine on the south side of the motherhouse grounds. According to the 1937 Handbook of the Sisters of Providence, Mother Mary Cleophas Foley, the general superior at the time, made a promise “to erect a new shrine in honor of our Lady of Lourdes should peace be declared between the warring nations before Dec. 8 [the Feast of the Immaculate Conception] of that year. The signing of the Armistice Nov. 11, 1918, gave the longed-for assurance and the work on the grotto was begun.” The grotto at the Woods was based upon the blueprints of the renowned grotto in Lourdes, France. The Sisters of Providence Archives house these blueprints today. The Handbook continues to describe this sacred place: “Stones from Lourdes [France] are embedded in the masonry, and a tiny stream of water trickles over them. The large rosary of the statue came from Lourdes. …” After nearly a decade, the grotto was consecrated Feb. 11, 1928.](https://i0.wp.com/spsmw.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Lourdes-Grotto-2.jpg?w=425&h=284&ssl=1 "The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes")
[…] According to information on a modern postcard, the grotto was built with stones from the original Lourdes site in France, as well as a rosary from Lourdes. Water trickled over the stones originally, but it’s not known if that feature still functions. The college retains the original blueprints for the grotto, according to their website. […]
Father you say, ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you. God, You always know what was happened because You see everything a most hidden corner , I come with a broken heart, i depend on you and still hope, if God deign, please God soften and touch Damianus aditya christie heart for me
We , my husband and I are looking to volunteer to work at the grotto with accommodations for a month or ..?
We have been twice and to visit the grotto and it’s surrounding‘ s and would like to assist where we can We have business experience and could work in the office or anywhere just being there is amazing we would job in masielle gotto for a month or more:, accommodation would be great:
I did read somewhere Tharp that was an NGoo or something like that ,that could assist.
Hello Sharon, if you are interested in volunteering at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, please reach out to our volunteer coordinator Sarah at volunteer@spsmw.org Thanks!