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.
Journals and Letters week 37: Good for nothing but to love God
We get only a few glimpses of Sister St. Francis Xavier in what we’ve read. But they hint at her character and her friendship with Mother Theodore.
Journals and Letters week 36: Advice to those in charge
Mother Theodore invites them to consider, “might you be the cause of another’s fault? Are you wanting in foresight or wisdom, gentleness or charity?” And so often, isn’t it true, that we ourselves can be our own worst enemy?
Journals and Letters week 35: Letter of instruction, letter of prayer
Mother Theodore’s letter to Bishop Bouvier struck me as a type of prayer. It included praise of Providence, thanksgiving for favors received, petitions of need and a prayer of lamentation. She acknowledges those whose spirituality and actions were Providence for the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods community.
Journals and Letters week 34: Loving the ‘Right Way’
Here “loving the right way” offers sympathy, speaks of affection and admiration for Mme’s daughter, and ends by offering both a smile (even a laugh) and assurance of prayers.
Journals and Letters week 33: Reasons Mother Theodore may have felt overwhelmed and crabby
Sister Denise Wilkinson, SP, lists the top reasons why she believes Mother Theodore might have been feeling overwhelmed and a bit crabby.
Journals and Letters week 31: Do good to all for the love of God
In caring for the sick Mother Theodore and her sisters were not deterred by differences in creed or heritage or race.
“Be cheerful, kind to one another” Mother Theodore’s response to epidemic
“Keep your house, the yard, and also your persons clean. Change your linen often and have your children clean also, if they are still with you. Finally, my dear daughters, pray.”
Journals and Letters week 29: Letters to a beloved companion
Judging from her letters to Sister Basilide, Mother Theodore had a special love for “this good and dear” sister. That love demonstrated itself in Mother Theodore’s words of caution, gentle criticism and frank admonishments — always accompanied by words of affection and encouragement.
Journals and Letters week 28: Death of the bishop
So impressed with the holiness of the bishop’s death, she reminds the sisters, “Especially let us never forget that if we wish to die like the Saints, we must live like them.”
Poems from Sister Mary Theodosia Mug
We wanted to share some of Sister Mary Theodosia’s poems with you.
Journals and Letters week 24: Support and hope
“The future is yours.” Such a new chance for hope.
Journals and Letters week 22: “I am so tired …”
Mother Theodore had to stay in charge and oversee everyone else. A true “mother.” And on top of all that the bishop keeps causing problem after problem. All of this is compounded by Mother Theodore’s chronic poor health that leaves her ill or weak much of the time.