SMTG Book Study
Join us anytime for this reflective, year-long reading and discussion of the “Journals and Letters” of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. (You can find the book here and buy the digital download here.) Follow along as you read with our weekly reflections from 2020-21. Enjoy some time with Saint Mother Theodore.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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Journals and Letters week 19: Back home in Indiana
Mother Theodore finally arrives at her beloved Saint Mary-of-the-Woods after being separated for nearly a year.
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Journals and Letters week 20: Drama with the bishop continues
Just when we thought things were going well for Mother Theodore “Back Home in Indiana,” things turn sour again with the bishop. I cannot imagine living with that tense and volatile relationship day after day. It must have been disheartening to say the least!
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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.
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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.
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Journals and Letters week 23: Clash of the bishop and the saint
Things come to a head with the bishop and Mother Theodore. See how Providence prevails in this most dramatic passage.
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Journals and Letters week 25: Making fair progress
Now that the sorrow-burdened years are behind her, Mother Theodore’s attention can return to ensuring the “fair progress” of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and the sisters’ establishing missions across Indiana.