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.
“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.
Journals and Letters week 21: The cross awaits
The cross did await Mother Theodore and her sisters “at every turn.” The conflict with the bishop took many more twists and turns before the rule was approved and the land deeded over. Yet she persisted.
Journals and Letters week 18: New Orleans to Indiana
Her statement at that time is one we must take to heart still today: “These Americans, so proud of their liberty, thus make game of the liberty of others.” No slave markets today, no. Yet that legacy is still so evident in the systemic racism that tells a lie about “liberty and justice for all.”
Journals and Letters week 17: Mother Theodore’s own words
Yet, no matter how frightening the weather or terrifying an incident, Mother Theodore could and did pray.
Journals and Letters week 16: Welcome support
Our present benefactors mirror these early supporters of our mission — a caring woman, a priest, two prominent businessmen — all in their own way enabling the mission and moving it forward by their talents and contributions.
Journals and Letters week 15: Stuck in New Orleans
From her sickbed Mother Theodore still had to keep watch over what was going on back at the Woods. While she was away Bishop de la Hailandière had created havoc for the community, demanding that he be obeyed despite legitimate objections to his requests.
Journals and Letters week 14: Mother Theodore the fundraiser
Mother Theodore felt burnt out and ready to give up. Can't we can all relate to having someone we care about urge us when we have lost hope?