
- 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

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.

Statue dedication at All Saints Cemetery
Sisters of Providence, Providence Associates and Candidate-Associates and friends gathered at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Ill., on Sept. 29, 2009, for the dedication of a new Saint Mother Theodore Guerin statue created by Providence Associate and artist Teresa…

Ciboria from Mother Theodore’s time
See photos below Deep in the stacks of the Sisters of Providence Archives is a wonderful treasure of ciboria used during the time of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. A ciborium (singular form of ciboria) is a covered vessel for holding…

Installation of statue at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
Installation of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin statue at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, June, 2009.

Sisters fear Know Nothing agitation
But not so Mother Theodore. The Community was terrified. ‘At every moment we imagine we can see the Know-Nothings coming to set fire to our house,’ noted the Foundress in the diary.

Historical marker honors Saint Mother Theodore
Saint Mother Theodore Guerin was honored during a public dedication ceremony of an Indiana historical marker April 29, 2009, at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. The marker is located near the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes on Grotto Lane. The bronze plaque…

Missionary spirit of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
Just as the little community was settling in, a devastating fire destroyed all of their provisions for the winter ahead. They lost 150 bushels of wheat and 150 bushels of oats, hay and corn shocks to feed the animals. The barn also contained bacon, suet and extra beds. It was once again a time of throwing themselves with complete abandon into the hands of Providence.

The charism of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
When asked to give her impressions of Mother Theodore, Susanna Alvey, who grew up as a neighbor in the then-thriving village of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, responded, “Her success was due more to prayer than to human efficiency, I think.” Through her…

The spirituality of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
Spirituality, the fundamental, underlying way in which a person relates to God, to other people and to oneself, is not merely an attitude toward God, an acceptable way to worship God, or a certain set of beliefs about God. Spirituality…

The legacy of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
By Sister Marie Kevin Tighe, formerly of the Office of the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin The legacy of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin is not a material or monetary one. It is a spiritual gift bestowed upon her by…

A niece remembers Saint Mother Theodore
The only surviving sibling of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin was her sister, Marie Guerin-Le Touzé. Three of her daughters entered the Sisters of Providence of Ruillé-sur-Loir, France, and came to the United States to serve at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Only one…

Conserving and digitizing a saint’s journal
One of the most cherished pieces of the Congregation’s history was conserved and digitized with the assistance of the Indiana Historical Society’s Historic Document Preservation Program and the Preservation Imaging Lab. Saint Mother Theodore Guerin’s journal, which is written in…

