


Teaching, caring, inspiring for all creation. A ministry of the Sisters of Providence, White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana was established in 1996. Here you’ll find a herd of alpacas, a flock of laying chickens, a 5-acre USDA certified organic garden, orchards, bee hives, a Farm Store, nature trail and internship opportunities.

As a child, Sadie spent much of her time doodling and sketching clothes. She felt it was the only thing she could imagine herself doing, and thus pursued it in college. An introductory textile art class inspired her to follow her current path.

Sister of Providence Joni Luna recently traveled from Indiana to stand with the Native Americans keeping vigil of sacred burial ground on the high plains of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation in North Dakota.
They call themselves water protectors not protestors, as they peacefully protest the North Dakota Access pipeline.

“A friend told me ‘You are looking for the feminine face of God, and you’ve caught a glimpse of it in the Sisters of Providence.”
“Even as a child I was always in awe of the spiritual feeling you get here.”
Providence Associate candidates share what brought them here.

It all started with mouse droppings. When Lorrie Heber took over leadership of White Violet Center in March of 2014, she noticed evidence of some unwelcomed visitors in the center. Several traps later, the culprits had not been caught. It was jokingly suggested that Lorrie get a barn cat.

Before discerning a focus, sisters and associates gave input on their priorities. Six key justice issues emerged: environment, human trafficking, immigration and refugees, anti-racism, women’s issues and nonviolence. Still … there was a clear desire for focus.

White Violet Center for Eco-Justice received a Hoosier Green Light Award presented by Sustainable Indiana 2016, an Earth Charter Indiana initiative, and was inducted into the Bicentennial Green Legacy Hall of Fame last night during a ceremony at the Vigo County Public Library in Terre Haute.

"The beauties of nature were continual reminders to her of the beauty of God; it was a thought she loved to put frequently before our minds. The luxuriance of the foliage suggested the bounty and infinite power of the Creator; the beauty of winter in its snowy mantle, purity of soul and the splendor of that spotlessness. "
Mother Anastasie Brown shares her first-hand memories of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her connection to nature.

A look back at the beginning of White Violet Center for Eco-Justice

This is my view as I write. I can sometimes take the sounds of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for granted, but in this moment I am paying attention to every bird's song, frog's croak and bee and mosquito buzz.

Thursday is my favorite day of the week. It peps me up knowing the weekend is still to come. But when my favorite day of the week includes inspirational young people, well, that’s just the icing on the high school graduation cake!

I feel a need to say thanks, to find a way to acknowledge their importance
Can't make the trip to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods right now? Enjoy spring at the Woods in these pictures.