Sister Eileen Rose Bonner

Sister Eileen Rose was born into an Irish immigrant family on May 29, 1932, in Whiting, Indiana. She said many of her childhood friends were the first-born of immigrants who came from Eastern Europe as well as the British Isles.

Following her eighth-grade year in school, she entered the Sisters of Providence Aspirancy at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, and in 1950, just a few months shy of 18 years old, she entered the Congregation. She professed first and final vows on August 15, 1952 and 1957, respectively.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and has a master’s degree from Indiana State University and an administrative certificate from Ball State University.

Her teaching ministry took her to schools in Chicago, as well as Indianapolis and Jasper and Vincennes – both in Indiana. Following her teaching ministry, she served in pastoral ministry at the SS. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital in Louisville. During her time there, Sister Eileen Rose said she “broadened my ministry to include complementary therapies, such as healing touch, and Reiki.” She ministered to cancer patients for six years during their chemotherapy treatments. Currently, she ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She added, “I forgot to mention that when I was a first-year novice, I was sent to cook and prepare meals for the sisters in our infirmary while the ‘real’ cook was with her family due to a death. I wasn’t asked if I could cook, so I just went and did it.”