a road near the Administration Building, surrounded by trees

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.

  • Journals and Letters week 38: Communicating with postulants and sisters

    Journals and Letters week 38: Communicating with postulants and sisters

    Mary Riley

    Mary Riley

    Mother Theodore had to wear many hats in her lifetime. Her letters throughout the book really exemplify the many roles she had to play.

  • Journals and Letters week 39: The loving guidance of a mother

    Journals and Letters week 39: The loving guidance of a mother

    Linda McMahon

    Linda McMahon

    In struggles we may be facing, we, too, may need someone to lovingly challenge us and guide us in realizing the effects our shortcomings have on us and on those with whom we live, work and worship.

  • Journals and Letters week 40: All will be well

    Journals and Letters week 40: All will be well

    Sister Ann Casper

    Sister Ann Casper

    She is inviting Sister Maria to deal with the reality of her situation. To stay in the present moment (teaching music lessons) rather than fantasizing about what she might do.

  • Journals and Letters week 41: Oh, Maria and other friends

    Journals and Letters week 41: Oh, Maria and other friends

    Sister Denise Wilkinson

    Sister Denise Wilkinson

    Although she felt affection, appreciation and friendship for each of the people she writes to this week, Mother Theodore is still able to be firm.

  • Journals and Letters week 42: Put yourself gently into the hands of Providence

    Journals and Letters week 42: Put yourself gently into the hands of Providence

    Amy Miranda

    Amy Miranda

    This week’s letters show the breadth of Mother Theodore as loving friend, sister and dedicated leader. She is a wonderful person for offering guidance, wisdom and truthfulness

  • Journals and Letters week 43: Jesuits and mothering and nieces

    Journals and Letters week 43: Jesuits and mothering and nieces

    Amy Miranda

    Amy Miranda

    And finally, what a sweet gift to Mother Theodore. Two of her nieces come to the United States to join the Congregation!

  • Journals and Letters week 44: Full as an egg and a tribute to a friend

    Journals and Letters week 44: Full as an egg and a tribute to a friend

    Sister Ann Casper

    Sister Ann Casper

    I love her balanced approach and the fact that she is not threatened by the presence or success of others.

  • Journals and Letters week 45: Sorrows and shadows

    Journals and Letters week 45: Sorrows and shadows

    Sister Denise Wilkinson

    Sister Denise Wilkinson

    “Indeed it is very difficult, and it requires an uncommon virtue, not to make others suffer when we suffer,” writes Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.

  • Journals and Letters week 46: God’s flowers

    Journals and Letters week 46: God’s flowers

    Linda McMahon

    Linda McMahon

    Mother Theodore followed the death announcement with a telling of this young (aged 21) sister’s story. We learn that she lived her faith and her vocation in a most holy and virtuous way, and she approached her death with serenity.

  • Journals and Letters week 47: Letting things take their course

    Journals and Letters week 47: Letting things take their course

    Sister Ann Casper

    Sister Ann Casper

    Mother Theodore’s long letters have a common theme, loving one another. She advises Mary Xavier to “bear with the defects of others. Endeavor not to cause others to suffer, and you yourself try to endure the little annoyances which are unavoidable in the necessary relations with others.”

  • Journals and Letters week 48: Direct and loving advice from Mother Theodore

    Journals and Letters week 48: Direct and loving advice from Mother Theodore

    Sister Denise Wilkinson

    Sister Denise Wilkinson

    In her letter to Sister Maria, Mother Theodore’s tone seems direct, stern and loving. (How does Mother Theodore so consistently manage blending those seeming opposites?)

  • Journals and Letters week 49: The death of an angel

    Journals and Letters week 49: The death of an angel

    Mary Riley

    Mary Riley

    Mother Theodore bares her heart in these beautiful letters about the death of her dear friend, Sister St. Francis Xavier.