
- 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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Providence Spirituality
“The God of Providence carries the entire mystery of the divine, ever trustworthy, never failing. The God of Providence offers all the possibilities for ourselves and the world, including both what God wants to happen and what God is willing to let happen because God honors the gift of human freedom. The choices are ours — truly free, but ever grounded in the grace of God, the Holy Mystery of Providence, about which there is ever more to be discovered.” – Sister Ruth Eileen Dwyer

The ‘month of our Mother’
I clearly remember the ritual of May crowning throughout my 16 years of Sisters of Providence education

A poem inspired by spring at the Woods
Reserves
Did Trees stand tall at your arrival?
Did Wind whisper a welcome in your ear?

A reflection for Holy Week
'Let us remember his willingness to give everything, even his life, that justice might prevail on Earth.'

Virtual spiritual pilgrimage of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
Take a spiritual and historic walk around some of the sacred spaces at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods from the comfort of your armchair. We hope you enjoy reflecting on these sacred Woods.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods spiritual pilgrimage video
Take a virtual, prayerful historical pilgrimage around beautiful Saint Mary-of-the-Woods with this video reflection.

For Sister Suzanne, prayer is life
"Prayer is all-permeating, inclusive. Prayer is ingrained in me."
"Each day is a gift," she says.

Firing up hope: SP prayer ministries
"Firing up hope" is how one correspondent describes what the prayer ministries of the Sisters of Providence mean to him as he daily faces the uncertainties of life without a steady job to earn money to feed his family. "We have truly tasted the painful side of life. Yet, I have not lost hope for a better tomorrow."

All of life is one holy family (New Year’s, 2018)
In the Catholic Church world this New Year’s Eve we will celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. This coincidence of the Feast of the Holy Family and New Year’s Eve got me thinking about my notions of family and…

Every day is a gift
Many who have ever been in my office, have seen my little screen saver go around and around on my monitor and it reads, “EVERY DAY IS A GIFT”. Although some may consider this just a cliché, I have kept it there…

Slow down before you speed up.
The inevitable rush of the holidays is once again upon us. Before you get swept away, take time to pause and remember your departed loved ones.

Faithfulness and God’s mission: a Foundation Day reflection
I find strength in the passages written by Mother Theodore that are oft quoted and perhaps even more so in the lesser-known stories of her day-to-day life. She walked the grounds of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and cared so much for the fledgling school, its students and the teachers. I believe that her prayers are still with us and perhaps with me in a special way because I now watch over the school that she created.

2017 Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Feast Day reflection
Happy Feast! I think Mother Theodore might agree that the best part of her being declared a saint is the opportunity it has given us as her beloved community to come together to pray, to sing, to enjoy each other’s…
