
- 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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Sisters in Ministry
Our Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are passionate about serving God by caring for all God’s creation, especially those most in need. We serve in many ways, from education to social justice, parish ministry, hospital ministry, serving the economically poor, advocating for immigrants and for a healthy environment. Read how some of our sisters serve God and others through their ministries.

When I’m rich: Providence dreams in the Desert
A few days ago, Leticia, one of Sister Loretta’s students here at Providence in the Desert, said to Sister Loretta, “When I’m rich, I want to have a car like yours.”
10 ways to celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life!
The Sisters of Providence suggest 10 ways for you to participate in the Year of Consecrated Life, named by Pope Francis, beginning Nov. 30, 2014 to Feb. 2, 2016.

Grateful for the gifts of each day
The days have gently slipped by, and I have only a few more weeks with my loving sisters in this small village on this beautiful island of Sri Lanka.
We walked, climbed, and gazed, almost always in the hot sun. To enter into the area around any of the shrines, one had to remove shoes and hat, which meant that one was even more vulnerable to the blazing sun and the hot paving stones and sand that surrounded the shrines. At the end of each day, we were exhausted but grateful for its gifts.

‘But I won’t get any supper …’
Bread for the World 2015 offering of letters


Sister Nancy Reynolds and the ‘Power of Sisterhood’
Several years ago, the Vatican called for an Apostolic Visitation of women religious in the United States. The reasoning behind the visitation was to examine their quality of life. “That is a most unusual reason for an apostolic visitation,” Sister…

Elections and papal visit in Sri Lanka
Sister Rosemary Schmalz, who is ministering in Sri Lanka, attended a papal Mass at Galle Face Green, an expanse of beach often used for such gatherings. The pope celebrated Mass and also canonized Joseph Vaz. Father Vaz was a priest from Goa, India who came to Sri Lanka under cover during the Dutch persecution of Catholics here.

Sisters of Providence Newsnotes
Sister of Providence recognized for service, a new icon of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, 40 years of working for justice and more in these newsnotes from the Sisters of Providence.

Providence Family Services: support and welcome for the neighbor
“Sister Patty gives me strength to go on. Life is hard and we all need each other,” said a counseling client at Providence Family Services in Chicago.

Sisters companion, advocate for immigrants
“I expect that demand for services will increase as President Obama’s Executive Order on Immigration (Nov. 20, 2014) is implemented. I am concerned that exploiters of the situation will take advantage of vulnerable people. I am glad I can still help,” she said.

Sister Patty talks love, mercy and justice
“I tell people, if you get to know some of them personally, you might change your mind. If you hear their story …” says Sister Patty Fillenwarth.

Inspiring exercisers
I dread going to the gym to workout on the machines this time of year because it’s like a race to the finish to try to get a treadmill before they’re all checked out by others. Group fitness classes are another story. I love a room packed with people moving together and jumping to the beat of some loud music. Either way, there’s something good about the community aspect of it all.
These thoughts got me wondering if I could find any Sisters of Providence who work out. Whew! Did I ever. And it was more inspiring than I imagined.
