
- 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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Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
An unshakeable trust in God. It set Saint Mother Theodore Guerin apart and makes her a model for us in our daily living. Get to know our brave and inspiring foundress better through these stories.

Vatican visitation finds love
They saw that we genuinely love one another.
After a years’ long and sometimes painful investigation, that is what stands out for me from the results of the apostolic visitation on our community of women religious by the Vatican.

Saint Mother Theodore’s advice to an impatient sister: unpublished letters
In this previously unpublished letter, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin writes, "You see, now, my daughter, how in your kitchen you can exercise a sort of apostolate, either for God or against Him. Watch well, then, over yourself, so as to place and to gain over to Him the hearts of the children entrusted to you."

Sister Joni Luna: first vows and the grace of an undivided heart
Sister Joni Luna reflects as she makes her first vows as a Sister of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods today. "Pray that in all I represent from this day forward, in all my thoughts, words and actions, especially in my doubts, frustrations, and failings, that I may place my whole self in God’s Providential care."

Do you ever really know?
We really have no idea what effect our actions have on people when we enact them … until years later when they write you and tell you what a profound experience they had because of the power of a saint.

Throwback Thursday: Sister Joseph Eleanor Ryan, a cause and a Positio
From 1978 to 1985, Sister Joseph Eleanor divided her time between Rome and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, as she researched material for the cause for sainthood of Mother Theodore

Reflecting on Leadership
The goal is to offer the community the best possible choice for a team to provide collaborative leadership in the next five years.

A “letter” to you from Saint Mother Theodore
Whether you are discerning where God is calling you now, or grappling with where God might be calling you next, perhaps this “letter” from Saint Mother Theodore will speak to 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

Throwback Thursday: Remembering Sister Marie Kevin Tighe
In 2006, Sister Marie Kevin traveled to Rome for the canonization of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin

A tangible reminder of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
As the tourist/pilgrim continues through the Shrine area after leaving the Shrine Chapel, she or he seems sent out by Saint Mother Theodore “as birds from the nest” into the world of today and is introduced to our various ministries. At the very end as they are leaving there we all are – Sisters and Associates – waving goodbye to them. They also are being sent out to carry on Saint Mother Theodore’s mission and the ministry in their own lives and their own areas of the world. Linden Leaf Gifts gives them the opportunity to take back with them a tangible reminder of this experience.

Throwback Thursday: Looking back on a Beatification
Sisters Thomasine Griffin and Catherine Livers, both now deceased, attended the Beatification of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin

An unpublished note from Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
Did you know there's more from Saint Mother Theodore? The Archives department for the Sisters of Providence has several of Saint Mother Theodore's letters that were not included in Journals and Letters.
