
- About
-
-
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.
-
-
- Justice
-
-
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.
-
-
- Be inspired
-
-
What inspires you?
We all need a little spiritual inspiration sometimes. Let the wisdom of our Providence Community support you on your journey.
-
-
- Visit
-
-
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.
-
-
- Get involved
-
-
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.
-
-
- Join
-
-
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.
-
-
- Prayer Requests
- Contact us
- Donate

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!

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:

Love, mercy, justice: working together to welcome the stranger
ne TeKolste’s reflection on her family’s journey to welcome an asylum family with the same love with which Mother Theodore and her companions were welcomed by the Thralls family more than 180 years ago.

What is asylum?
t definition of asylum in the U.S. is based on the 1951 United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees. It was created when countries came together in the wake of the Holocaust and committed that never again would they return people fleeing persecution to danger.

Mother Theodore, Providence Associate Kate Childs Graham: writers encouraging goodness
It’s doubtful Mother Theodore wrote so her words would be preserved. She may have written to encourage others to persevere. Providence Associate Kate Childs Graham, speech writer for Vice President Kamala Harris, seems to have that same hope — that her writing will encourage others to persevere in living lives of faith, commitment, candor and compassion.

The sisters treasure your financial support!
The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods have always treasured our friends who give a donation every month. Now we have created an official program called Providence GEMs (Gives Every Month), to show our appreciation for these faithful givers and to shine a light on monthly giving.

A legacy of love, prayer and service
When today’s Sisters of Providence describe the spirituality of Mother Theodore, they speak of her deep, joyous love of God. Of her warm affection for her sisters. Her abiding trust in Providence. Of her resilience. Her passion for the mission. And her practical piety.
