
- 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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- Prayer Requests
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As seen in HOPE
Here you will find wonderful content from the Sisters of Providence. The articles here all appeared in HOPE magazine. The Sisters of Providence publish HOPE three times a year to share the mission, spirituality and ministries of the Sisters of Providence. Enjoy!

Woods Core Class brings students, sisters together
I shared with them information about our spirituality, our current ministries, justice efforts and values. I answered their questions about religious life and shared my personal experience of this life.

A new leadership team for the Sisters of Providence
The Chapter meeting culminated in the election of the Congregation’s Leadership Team of the next five years.

Anti-Racism: the Providence Community’s justice focus for 2021-2026
We commit to partnering with other groups in prayer, education, action and advocacy to: explore the systemic roots of racism in our countries and in our own lives; identify areas of our lives in which we may be complicit with racist attitudes and actions …

The Roads of Saint Mary’s
This renaming of roads was necessary in order for the Woods to be enrolled in the County Emergency System. In the past, when there was an emergency, a member of the security staff had to wait at the gate to direct the emergency vehicles.

Providence Community commits to develop Laudato Si’ Action Platform
The commitment that Sister Dawn signed on behalf of the Providence Community states, among other points, that the Sisters of Providence are willing “To take up the urgent appeal of Laudato Si’ to listen and respond to the lurings of Providence to attend to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor by making it a community priority.”

Reunion updates – fall 2021
Thank you to all who hosted, planned and attended! We hope you made the most of your time reconnecting and reminiscing.

Let the Sisters of Providence pray for you!
Here are some of the many ways to request prayers from the Sisters of Providence.

And now, a brief word from O’Shaughnessy Dining Hall
I am still a place of tranquil symmetry and classic beauty, and sometimes I think I can hear faint echoes of the chatter, laughter, music and ritual that for 100 years have filled this special space. I wait in eager expectation to learn what my next role will be.

What’s next for O’Shaughnessy Dining Hall?
We invite you to put on your creative thinking cap and help us brainstorm! Do you have suggestions for uses of O’Shaughnessy Dining Hall that will help provide income needed to sustain the building and ministries of the Woods?

Sister Kathleen Bernadette Smith: love of God strengthens love of others
Kate found the “fit” she was looking for with the Sisters of Providence. She found a group of religious women whose spirituality fit with hers and who shared her love of music. For Sister Kate, both of those characteristics define much of who she is.

Sister Marilyn Baker: living the legacy of Saint Mother Theodore as an international teacher
So, with little knowledge of the language or the culture, Sister Marilyn traveled to Taiwan. “I really had to learn how to lean on Providence as I began teaching in both the English and English as a Second Language programs there. During my 20-some years there, however, I had some of my happiest years in ministry.”

Sisters of Providence ministry founders
any Sisters of Providence have followed in the footsteps of foundress Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her early companions by establishing and founding ministries to meet the needs of those around them throughout the years. Here is a look at just a few of those ministries:
