
- 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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Internships
Do you like to dig in the dirt? Do you dream of befriending an alpaca? If you or someone you know answered yes to these questions, then a farm internship at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice might be the place for you. As an intern you’ll get to work with the amazing people on our team as well as other interns from all over the country, in a hands-on learning environment on our certified organic farm. You’ll also be able to meet and connect with some amazing women who are members of the Sisters of Providence. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods has been their home for over 175 years. Intern commitments are completely customizable but we do require a minimum commitment of 3 months with a maximum of one year. If you’d like more information about internships click here.

Blooming in the gardens at the Woods
“Growing vegetables is pretty incredible," say White Violet Intern Lily Seals. "I get to experience this from start to finish. After we harvest it really makes me proud to realize that I grew this."

Welcoming our 2021 WVC Summer Interns!
I hope you have an opportunity to meet some of them!

White Violet Center interns: Meet the fabulous four!
White Violet Center for Eco-Justice recently welcomed two new interns to our program. Meet them and our two seasoned interns.

Remembering Sister Barbara Doherty
Sister Barbara Doherty has been a lamp, a lifeboat and a ladder in my life at various times throughout the years. When I received the news that she had been anointed on July 25, I started to write down some of my most treasured memories of Barbara.

Life on the farm at White Violet Center: Meet our summer crop of interns
It is the fifth Anniversary of Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home, the second encyclical of Pope Francis. It is the beginning of the Year of Laudato Si recently proclaimed. Pope Francis says, “It is no longer enough…

‘It was 20 years ago today …’
'We were attracted to the combination of faith, justice, and environmental sustainability WVC and the Sisters of Providence offered.'

Sisters and interns: becoming a little bit of each other
“There’s no way either one of us could go without being touched by the other after we’ve come in contact,” Sister Ruth explained. “We become a little bit them and they become a little bit us."

Growing passion for sustainable agriculture
When I first moved to White Violet Center for my internship, I was so nervous. I’ve never been away from home, and never lived with anyone other than my family. I’ve never lived or worked on a farm, never handled chickens or alpacas, and never met a nun. There were a lot of unknowns, but something drew me to the Woods.

Breathing time on this organic farm
The small organic farm at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods packs a big punch in the way of educational and service opportunities. In fact, that’s how Ann Testa came to White Violet Center for Eco-Justice. She was an intern and AmeriCorps volunteer before becoming a full-time staff member.
Now she’s training and working alongside interns and volunteers in the USDA certified organic gardens, alpaca pastures, fiber rooms, and kitchen.

A more colorful existence as a fiber arts intern
Earlier last year, I decided to make a change in my life. As I told some people that I was quitting my job so I could go work on an alpaca farm for three months I got a lot of confused looks and many, many questions.

Come with me
With a dramatic outflung hand, Ann points at me and says, “Come with me.” Today it meant learning the arcane art of needle felting. Last week, “come with me” meant holding a chicken in my lap so Dave didn’t have to drive the big white pick-up truck and hold the chicken at the same time. I’m fairly sure he was joking. I hope.

Sustainable living: beyond the basics
“Shop locally. Consider environment as a whole." White Violet Center for Eco-Justice interns offer some practical tips.
