Stories from the Archives
Often, some of the most interesting pieces of history are lost in time. These inviting stories are drawn from the Sisters of Providence Archives and the memories of sisters and friends. They feature the many people and places instrumental in the Sisters of Providence history.
Hand of Providence
“The Hand of Providence” by the Rev. John F. McShane was published in 1949. The frontispiece of this small book states, “A tribute to the Civil War nurses of the Sisters of Providence, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., whose five years of…
Vision of Mother Theodore
While searching for some information in the files of Mother Superior Gertrude Clare Owens, Archives volunteer Sister Marie Grace Molloy found this very interesting statement concerning a vision of Mother Theodore that Mrs. Michael Owens had in 1910. It was…
Lest We Forget
“Lest We Forget,” a short history of the service provided by the Sisters of Providence during the Civil War, was published in 1931 by Providence Press. It was written by Sister Mary Theodosia Mug. This book may be small, but…
A Journey in Love, Mercy and Justice
A Journey in Love, Mercy and Justice: a pictorial history of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods celebrating 150 years of service among the people of God is now available online! This pictorial history was published in 1989. The…
Mother Theodore dioramas
A story takes on a whole new meaning when you can see it! In Providence Center at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, you can take a look at history in the form of twelve dioramas telling the story of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.…
A tribute to sisters who have served
On Monday, May 31, our nation celebrates Memorial Day. During Mass on Monday, the Sisters of Providence will remember those sisters who served their country during war. An American flag will be placed on the gravesite of those sisters who…
Answering a call to duty
On May 17, 1861, the Sisters of Providence took charge of of all “domestic arrangements” at City Hospital, Indianapolis. This hospital had been turned over to the federal government for the care of soldiers during the Civil War. Indiana Governor…
A doll named Susie, aka Sister Mary Rose
By Sister Rosemary Borntrager Feast of the Visitation May 31, 1990 Forty years ago in the winter of 1949-1950 I received a pair of black doll stockings. That’s how it all began. In the days before Barbie dolls, it was…
Women’s History Month: Mother Theodore and the church
After receiving the Blessed Sacrament upon her arrival at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Mother Theodore Guerin examined the church a little more closely. This is what she writes about it: “No tabernacle, no altar, for can the name of altar be given to…
Women’s History Month: Mother Theodore and the Blessed Sacrament
Once Mother Theodore Guerin and her sister-companions were safely on land at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., the sisters wanted to visit the Blessed Sacrament. The following is what Mother Theodore writes about this experience: “We had agreed among ourselves that our first visit…
Women’s History Month: Mother Theodore and Terre Haute
Arriving in Terre Haute, Ind., the afternoon of Oct. 21, 1840, Mother Theodore Guerin and her sister-companions spent the night in the city. She writes about Terre Haute: “Like all American cities it [Terre Haute] is laid out on a large…
Women’s History Month: Mother Theodore and smoking
Traveling by stagecoach from Vincennes to Terre Haute, Ind., was another arduous and dangerous leg of Mother Theodore Guerin’s journey to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. Rain made matters even worse. When the stagecoach overturned and the driver was unable to upright the…