
- 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

Become a Sister
Here you will find stories about some of our newest Sisters of Providence. You’ll read about some of our seasoned Sisters of Providence living out their ministries. And you’ll find stories and opportunities for discerning whether life as a Sister of Providence might be for you.

“May we all be saints!” An unpublished letter from Mother Theodore
"May we all be Saints! We shall be if we make good use of the time that remains for us to gain Heaven. …" A previously unpublished letter from Saint Mother Theodore Guerin

Sister Joni’s students send letters of support to Archbishop
'I had a strong feeling we would hear from him'

Love of sports fuels Sister Joni Luna
Sister Joni to conduct basketball, volleyball camps in June

A prayer for times of discernment
At times when the way ahead,
or even the next step,
seems unclear,
assure me that You know what is to come;
that You envision
a plan to prosper me and not to harm me,
to give me a future full of hope.

Imperfect mercy
I realized that in both stories, Jesus was open and vulnerable enough to allow others to call him to mercy. In the end, when it came to choosing mercy or sticking with his original plan, Jesus did not dig his heels in based on his own sense of the “right time” or the “right people.”

A community of friends: the Providence Associate relationship
The spirituality of Providence tells us that all of life is interconnected, that all is holy, all is one. There was “oneness” in that room that day. I could see it AND feel it. I know the source is Providence.
Providence Associates are women and men of faith who choose to have an intentional relationship with the Sisters of Providence. They commit to sharing their own unique gifts and talents with others while walking with the Sisters of Providence. But they also walk with each other and that is making all the difference.

Get to know Sister Arrianne Whittaker
In these video clips, 29-year-old Sister Arrianne Whittaker talks about being a Sister of Providence. From her call to religious life, to what it was like entering a Congregation of women religious at age 25, to what it looks like to be a member of a family and a member of a religious order today. Sister Arrianne answers some of the questions you might have about becoming a Catholic sister today.

The Sisters of Providence go to St. Patrick School
Sisters discuss vocations with school's female students during National Catholic Schools Week

Young sisters giving voice to mercy
Last weekend was my first time attending the Giving Voice 20’s/30’s retreat in Phoenix, Arizona... As we began to unfold what the theme “Contemplating the Mystery of Mercy” meant to each of us, the sisters around the circle shared stories about learning mercy from those they ministered with, struggles to have mercy for themselves, and the simple but challenging calls to mercy in the ins and outs of community life.

Co-creating the future with God
Let us be more intentional in allowing Providence to actively engage in our lives. More present to how we are called to co-create in this time of distrust, cultural animosity, economic crisis and increasing violence.

Habit forming dialogue
"In light of recent acts of violence around the world and expressions of fear and intolerance in our own country, I find in this experience a small circle of light, a glimmer of hope. Among my peers, I found genuine concern, a desire for understanding, thoughtful questions, and an ability to embrace the gift of our diversity. I experienced in a small way the big potential that exists for men and women religious to model dialogue..."

Sister Joni becomes who God created her to be as a Sister of Providence
“You enter community and spend three years learning who you are,” Sister Joni said. “The masks that we build start to peel away and you become the person God created you to be.” In her new ministry Sister Joni is reconnecting Saint Patrick School in Terre Haute with the Sisters of Providence, the order that founded the school in 1882.
