Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Throw it on the Fire

It had been one of those days: my 3 year old was tearing up and down the aisles of our grocery store despite my protests, my newborn was issuing plaintive cries of hunger as I lamely shoved a pacifier her way, and I discovered after an hour of shopping and bargain hunting that I had forgotten my wallet at home. It was all I could do to pray for strength as I gritted my teeth and dragged both cart and toddler to customer service to ask that my cart be held so I could go home to get my wallet.

A chance encounter with a friend later in the day found me relating the tale with slightly lower blood pressure but still with more than a modicum of "why me?" My friend, twenty years my senior, laughed and told me that days like those remind her that sometimes you just have to "throw it in the fire." Her explanation for this somewhat cryptic remark was fascinating: whenever life hands her an irritation that, while troublesome, is out of her control, she envisions a bonfire in her heart and actively chooses to throw in whatever is standing between herself and peace.

I found myself thinking of this several times over the next few days, and I experimented with throwing into my own "inner fire" whatever wasn't helping live my own life mission. It was easy when the irritation was external (ie someone cut me off in traffic), but more difficult when it was my own emotions or thoughts that needed to be let go.

I also challenged myself to "throw in the fire" my own selfish urges and fears and pay closer attention to what I thought God might be leading me to do, see, or feel. Instead of living in an emotionally reactive way, I found myself much more receptive (not to mention my blood pressure much lower!).

To extend my friend's image, I imagine that throwing my own fears and selfish desires into the proverbial fire can "try" my faith into greater purity; a faith more aligned with my goal of serving God by responding with love, mercy, and justice to God's people.

Do you have images or other reminders that you use to let go of thoughts that aren't serving you? How have you found that they help your faith grow?

Christmas memories

Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas! Take a look at this photo and step back in time to 1946. These young women receiving gifts from Santa were students at Ladywood High School in Indianapolis. In the Sisters of Providence section of Wabash Valley Visions & Voices (WV3) you’ll find some other Christmas photos from Ladywood as well as a photo from Dunblane School in Washington, D.C. Click here to view these photographs.

The Sisters of Providence are one of the founding members of WV3, a digital memory project. Be sure to check out the WV3 blog.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Renewals, renewals, renewals

Saturday, Nov. 20, was a busy day for Providence Associates in Chicago and Indianapolis. Twelve associates in the Chicago area gathered in the chapel of Mother Theodore Guerin Convent in River Grove, Ill., to renew their commitments. Providence Cristo Rey High School, Indianapolis, hosted 13 Providence Associates and their family, friends and Sisters of Providence.

For images of the Chicago ceremony, click here. For photos from the Indianapolis Rite of Renewal, click here.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Turkey and football!

Do Thanksgiving Day and football go together in your family? In many families, it’s a tradition to stuff your face and then moan and groan on the couch while watching football! And back in the day, many local high schools played football on this holiday. For nearly 40 years, Garfield and Wiley high schools in Terre Haute, Ind., met on the gridiron on Turkey Day.

This tradition is just one of many you’ll find on Wabash Valley Visions & Voices (WV3), a digital memory project of which the Sisters of Providence are founding members. Check out more information on this annual football game by clicking here. While there, you might want to subscribe to this blog.

For more information about WV3, click here.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Feast Day of Our Lady of Providence

The public is invited to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Providence today, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Chapel in Owens Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. (Note the change of venue. Construction this year requires us to hold services in St. Joseph Chapel.) Providence Center staff and Sisters of Providence are included in a processional at the beginning and end of services. The painting of Our Lady of Providence, which is usually at the Shrine in Providence Center, will be placed in the sanctuary of the chapel.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Novena to Our Lady of Providence - Nov. 19 - day 9

The novena to Our Lady of Providence should be said Nov. 11-19.

Nov. 19 — day 9

Our Lady of Providence, Hope of the Oppressed, pray that all persons may have meaningful work, just wages, financial and retirement security.

Prayer to Our Lady of Providence

Remember, O most faithful Lady of Providence, that you have been given to us by your Son to be our mother. We entrust to you our labors; bless them. We commend to you our needs; supply them. Show for us the same concern you manifested at Cana, for we trust that whatever you ask of your Son will be done. Pray for us on our pilgrimage that we may share the faith and hope that marked your life. Full of confidence in your power before God, we place ourselves, our loved ones, and all our petitions in your providential care. Amen.

Feast Day of Our Lady of Providence

The public is invited to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Providence on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Chapel in Owens Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. (Note the change of venue. Construction this year requires us to hold services in St. Joseph Chapel.) Providence Center staff and Sisters of Providence are included in a processional at the beginning and end of services. The painting of Our Lady of Providence, which is usually at the Shrine in Providence Center, will be placed in the sanctuary of the chapel.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

A video of the Rite of Commitment

Saturday, Nov. 13, was indeed a day of celebration for the 20 candidates who made their first commitments as Providence Associates during a Eucharistic Liturgy in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. The skies outside might have been gray, but a glorious warmth and a palpable energy were inside the church.

Also during Saturday’s rite, 60 Providence Associates renewed their commitments. This Saturday, Nov. 20, more Providence Associates in the Chicago and Indianapolis areas will be renewing their commitments.

To view a video from the Rite of Commitment on Nov. 13, click here. To learn more about Providence Associates, click here.

Novena to Our Lady of Providence - Nov. 18 - day 8

The novena to Our Lady of Providence should be said Nov. 11-19.

Nov. 18 — day 8

Our Lady of Providence, Help of Christians, pray for victims of abuse, those suffering from the effects of hurricanes, earthquakes, drought, fire, floods and other natural disasters.

Prayer to Our Lady of Providence

Remember, O most faithful Lady of Providence, that you have been given to us by your Son to be our mother. We entrust to you our labors; bless them. We commend to you our needs; supply them. Show for us the same concern you manifested at Cana, for we trust that whatever you ask of your Son will be done. Pray for us on our pilgrimage that we may share the faith and hope that marked your life. Full of confidence in your power before God, we place ourselves, our loved ones, and all our petitions in your providential care. Amen.

Feast Day of Our Lady of Providence

The public is invited to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Providence on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Chapel in Owens Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. (Note the change of venue. Construction this year requires us to hold services in St. Joseph Chapel.) Providence Center staff and Sisters of Providence are included in a processional at the beginning and end of services. The painting of Our Lady of Providence, which is usually at the Shrine in Providence Center, will be placed in the sanctuary of the chapel.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Providence Associates in Chicago and Indy to renew commitments

Providence Associates in the Chicago and Indianapolis areas will be renewing their commitments in ceremonies this Saturday, Nov. 20. The Renewal of Commitment for Chicago-area associates will be held in the chapel at Guerin Convent in River Grove, Ill., starting at 1:30 p.m. (CST). The Renewal of Commitment for Indianapolis-area associates will be held at 1:30 p.m. (EST) at Providence Cristo Rey High School, 75 N. Belleview Pl. The public may attend these celebrations.

Last Saturday, Nov. 13, 20 Providence Candidate-Associates made their first commitments, while 60 Providence Associates from throughout the country renewed their commitments. To see some images from the day as well as to read the reflection by General Superior Sister Denise Wilkinson, click here.

Novena to Our Lady of Providence - Nov. 17 - day 7

The novena to Our Lady of Providence should be said Nov. 11-19.

Nov. 17 - day 7

Our Lady of Providence, Consolation of the Afflicted, pray for those suffering from addictions of any kind, from depression and other mental or emotional distress.

Prayer to Our Lady of Providence

Remember, O most faithful Lady of Providence, that you have been given to us by your Son to be our mother. We entrust to you our labors; bless them. We commend to you our needs; supply them. Show for us the same concern you manifested at Cana, for we trust that whatever you ask of your Son will be done. Pray for us on our pilgrimage that we may share the faith and hope that marked your life. Full of confidence in your power before God, we place ourselves, our loved ones, and all our petitions in your providential care. Amen.

Feast Day of Our Lady of Providence

The public is invited to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Providence on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Chapel in Owens Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. (Note the change of venue. Construction this year requires us to hold services in St. Joseph Chapel.) Providence Center staff and Sisters of Providence are included in a processional at the beginning and end of services. The painting of Our Lady of Providence, which is usually at the Shrine in Providence Center, will be placed in the sanctuary of the chapel.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

More comments from NASPA visitors

As you may know, members of the National Association of Shrine and Pilgrimage Apostolate were at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods last weekend for their annual convention. You can read in an earlier post what the organization's president, Msgr. Walter Rossi of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. had to say about the reason for the meeting and his impressions of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.


Here are some comments from other participants:


"Saint Mary-of-the-Woods is a relaxing place, physically and mentally. It is a very, very wonderful facility. I think the sisters have great resilience and determination. They have been here since the 1800s and have built this place into what it is now. The sisters are really living out the charism of Saint Mother Theodore [Guerin]. I really loved my time at the Basilica [of St. Francis Xavier]in Vincennes. The pastor there did a really good job of taking us through the history of Vincennes and the presence of Catholics from France."


~ Rev. Ferdinand Okorie, CNF, National Shrine of St. Jude, Chicago.


"As far as coming to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, I was a little apprehensive. Being here has been absolutely marvelous. When you hear the history, it’s so incredible. The campus is beautiful. Everyone here has been an angel, helped us in every way. The chapel is magnificent. I’m very grateful that I had enough common sense to come and network with the people. When you network with the rest of the members, you learn more and you take it back to your shrine and you implement the suggestions. It’s absolutely phenomenal what they have done out here. When you think back to 1840, ladies came here and established this school. It’s amazing, hard to comprehend, but I see with my own eyes what they have done here."

~ Jean Markunas, Divine Mercy Shrine, Stockbridge, Mass.


"What the sisters have done and are still doing, especially how they combine creation and nature and all of their work, is just amazing. Through the discussion, especially the one-on-one talks, I have a lot of ideas. One thing I will always remember is Sister Denise Wilkinson [general superior, Sisters of Providence] giving a sentence from Saint Mother Theodore. 'When one has nothing to lose, the heart is inaccessible to fear.' It’s so amazing. There is nothing to be afraid of. When I go back home to my shrine, I will remember that I have nothing to lose and everything to gain."


~ Rev. Rafael Lavilla Jr. OSJ, Shrine of St. Joseph Guardian of the Redeemer, Santa Cruz, Calif.

Novena to Our Lady of Providence - Nov. 16 - day 6

The novena to Our Lady of Providence should be said Nov. 11-19.

Nov. 16 — day 6

Our Lady of Providence, Gate of Heaven, pray for the lonely, the abandoned, the dying, the grieving and the faithful departed.

Prayer to Our Lady of Providence

Remember, O most faithful Lady of Providence, that you have been given to us by your Son to be our mother. We entrust to you our labors; bless them. We commend to you our needs; supply them. Show for us the same concern you manifested at Cana, for we trust that whatever you ask of your Son will be done. Pray for us on our pilgrimage that we may share the faith and hope that marked your life. Full of confidence in your power before God, we place ourselves, our loved ones, and all our petitions in your providential care. Amen.

Feast Day of Our Lady of Providence

The public is invited to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Providence on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Chapel in Owens Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. (Note the change of venue. Construction this year requires us to hold services in St. Joseph Chapel.) Providence Center staff and Sisters of Providence are included in a processional at the beginning and end of services. The painting of Our Lady of Providence, which is usually at the Shrine in Providence Center, will be placed in the sanctuary of the chapel.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Welcome, new Providence Associates!

Twenty new Providence Associates were welcomed Saturday, Nov. 13, during a Rite of Commitment and Renewal in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. General Superior Sister Denise Wilkinson, in her reflection, said about the day:

“This is the gift we celebrate today — the union of our hearts in God’s Providence — a union given so that the works of Providence will continue.”

In addition to the 20 first commitments, 60 Providence Associates renewed their commitments. Indeed, it truly was an awesome and sacred day.

For photos from the celebration, click here. To read Sister Denise’s reflection, click here.

Novena to Our Lady of Providence - Nov. 15 - day 5

The novena to Our Lady of Providence should be said Nov. 11-19.

Nov. 15 — day 5

Our Lady of Providence, Mother of Grace and Mercy, pray for the marginalized: the poor, the elderly, the unborn, for prisoners, for victims of violence, and for world peace.

Prayer to Our Lady of Providence

Remember, O most faithful Lady of Providence, that you have been given to us by your Son to be our mother. We entrust to you our labors; bless them. We commend to you our needs; supply them. Show for us the same concern you manifested at Cana, for we trust that whatever you ask of your Son will be done. Pray for us on our pilgrimage that we may share the faith and hope that marked your life. Full of confidence in your power before God, we place ourselves, our loved ones, and all our petitions in your providential care. Amen.

Feast Day of Our Lady of Providence

The public is invited to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Providence on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Chapel in Owens Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. (Note the change of venue. Construction this year requires us to hold services in St. Joseph Chapel.) Providence Center staff and Sisters of Providence are included in a processional at the beginning and end of services. The painting of Our Lady of Providence, which is usually at the Shrine in Providence Center, will be placed in the sanctuary of the chapel.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Novena to Our Lady of Providence - Nov. 14 - day 4

The novena to Our Lady of Providence should be said Nov. 11-19.

Nov. 14 — day 4


Our Lady of Providence, help of the sick, pray for those suffering from chronic or terminal diseases of all kinds and those without medical assistance.

Prayer to Our Lady of Providence


Remember, O most faithful Lady of Providence, that you have been given to us by your Son to be our mother. We entrust to you our labors; bless them. We commend to you our needs; supply them. Show for us the same concern you manifested at Cana, for we trust that whatever you ask of your Son will be done. Pray for us on our pilgrimage that we may share the faith and hope that marked your life. Full of confidence in your power before God, we place ourselves, our loved ones, and all our petitions in your providential care. Amen.

Feast Day of Our Lady of Providence

The public is invited to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Providence on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Chapel in Owens Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. (Note the change of venue. Construction this year requires us to hold services in St. Joseph Chapel.) Providence Center staff and Sisters of Providence are included in a processional at the beginning and end of services. The painting of Our Lady of Providence, which is usually at the Shrine in Providence Center, will be placed in the sanctuary of the chapel.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Novena to Our Lady of Providence - Nov. 13 - day 3

The novena to Our Lady of Providence should be said Nov. 11-19.

Nov. 13 — day 3

Our Lady of Providence, Model of Disciples, pray for church and world leaders, teachers, retreatants and retreat directors, all students and universal conversion of hearts.

Prayer to Our Lady of Providence

Remember, O most faithful Lady of Providence, that you have been given to us by your Son to be our mother. We entrust to you our labors; bless them. We commend to you our needs; supply them. Show for us the same concern you manifested at Cana, for we trust that whatever you ask of your Son will be done. Pray for us on our pilgrimage that we may share the faith and hope that marked your life. Full of confidence in your power before God, we place ourselves, our loved ones, and all our petitions in your providential care. Amen.

Feast Day of Our Lady of Providence

The public is invited to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Providence on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Chapel in Owens Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. (Note the change of venue. Construction this year requires us to hold services in St. Joseph Chapel.) Providence Center staff and Sisters of Providence are included in a processional at the beginning and end of services. The painting of Our Lady of Providence, which is usually at the Shrine in Providence Center, will be placed in the sanctuary of the chapel.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Saint Mother Theodore Guerin receives another honor

How was Saint Mother Theodore Guerin a pioneer? Let us count the ways!

She led a group of five other Sisters of Providence on a treacherous ocean voyage, through densely wooded terrain to a forest that became home.

She was a leader in building Catholic education in Indiana.

She was an astute businesswoman and landowner.

She was a model of devotion to God.

Oh, you get the idea. And so does the Society of Indiana Pioneers. On Nov. 6, Saint Mother Theodore was named a Pioneer Founder of Indiana. The society honored 18 counties this year. More individuals will be honored in the next five years as Indiana prepares to celebrate its Bicentennial in 2016. In 2007, Saint Mother Theodore was honored by the group as a Hoosier Pioneer in recognition of her canonization.

Mary Alice Hines, PhD., of Indianapolis offered Saint Mother Theodore’s nomination.

The Society of Indiana Pioneers was established in 1916 in conjunction with the state’s centennial celebration with the intention to honor the memory and work of the early settlers who opened the state to exploration and continued its development.

‘The little Indian of the northern Lakes’

“Here we see the little Indian of the northern Lakes becoming one of the Torch-bearers of Christian education in southern Indiana and a notable factor in the expansion of St. Mary-of-the-Woods.” Such are the words about the life of Mother Mary Cecilia Bailly, second general superior of the Sisters of Providence, from the book, “In God’s Acre.”

Mother Mary Cecilia Bailly became the leader of the Congregation upon the death of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin on May 14, 1856. Mother Mary Cecilia had held a variety of leadership positions in the Congregation prior to Mother Theodore’s death. She served as general superior until 1868, leading the Congregation through the difficult years of the Civil War.

Providence Associate Paul Beel (who is also a systems analyst for the Congregation’s IT Department) is an admirer of Mother Mary Cecilia and has spent numerous hours in Archives researching this early leader of the Congregation. The Sisters of Providence web editorial board is pleased to present Paul’s research on the second general superior of the Congregation in our history section. Click here to learn more.

Novena to Our Lady of Providence - Nov. 12 - day 2

The novena to Our Lady of Providence should be said Nov. 11-19.

Nov. 12 — day 2

Our Lady of Providence, Queen of the Home, pray for strong and happy marriages, safe pregnancies, peace within families, for those divorced or separated and for all children, especially the unborn.

Prayer to Our Lady of Providence

Remember, O most faithful Lady of Providence, that you have been given to us by your Son to be our mother. We entrust to you our labors; bless them. We commend to you our needs; supply them. Show for us the same concern you manifested at Cana, for we trust that whatever you ask of your Son will be done. Pray for us on our pilgrimage that we may share the faith and hope that marked your life. Full of confidence in your power before God, we place ourselves, our loved ones, and all our petitions in your providential care. Amen.

Feast Day of Our Lady of Providence

The public is invited to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Providence on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Chapel in Owens Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. (Note the change of venue. Construction this year requires us to hold services in St. Joseph Chapel.) Providence Center staff and Sisters of Providence are included in a processional at the beginning and end of services. The painting of Our Lady of Providence, which is usually at the Shrine in Providence Center, will be placed in the sanctuary of the chapel.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Novena to Our Lady of Providence - Nov. 11 - day 1

The novena to Our Lady of Providence should be said Nov. 11-19.

Nov. 11 — day 1

Our Lady of Providence, Mother of the Church, pray for our Holy Father, our bishops and all other clergy, religious, the laity and vocations to the priesthood or religious life.

Prayer to Our Lady of Providence

Remember, O most faithful Lady of Providence, that you have been given to us by your Son to be our mother. We entrust to you our labors; bless them. We commend to you our needs; supply them. Show for us the same concern you manifested at Cana, for we trust that whatever you ask of your Son will be done. Pray for us on our pilgrimage that we may share the faith and hope that marked your life. Full of confidence in your power before God, we place ourselves, our loved ones, and all our petitions in your providential care. Amen.

Feast Day of Our Lady of Providence

The public is invited to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Providence on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Chapel in Owens Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. (Note the change of venue. Construction this year requires us to hold services in St. Joseph Chapel.) Providence Center staff and Sisters of Providence are included in a processional at the beginning and end of services. The painting of Our Lady of Providence, which is usually at the Shrine in Providence Center, will be placed in the sanctuary of the chapel.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Sister Jenny casts the net

Sister Jenny Howard, vocation director for the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, just returned from the National Religious Vocation Conference in Cleveland, entitled “Casting the Net – Vocation Ministry in a Global Church and World.” She and about 400 other vocation directors convened Nov. 4-8 to talk about shared concerns and challenges in inviting women and men who feel called by God to join religious life and the priesthood today. They discussed what the gifts and blessings are for young people today who receive that kind of an invitation.

There was also discussion about the spirituality of sustainability, globalization and the Church, and the need for vocation directors to be highly involved in social media as a means of communicating with young people. “It’s always wonderful to connect with other vocation directors to network and share ideas,” said Sister Jenny. “You get a sense that you are not alone, and that vocations is bigger than one community’s efforts. There is a sense of unity and a sameness that Providence is at work. We’re all facing the same challenges. It helps put everything into perspective,” added Sister Jenny.

The convocation included keynote speakers, workshops, theological reflection and celebrations of common prayer and the Eucharist. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about becoming a woman religious, visit events and consider attending one of the upcoming events sponsored by the Sisters of Providence. Many times it’s the encouragement from others that helps confirm the call to vocations in a person, so why not be that encouragement to someone you know?

Enhance your spiritual feast by enjoying a pilgrimage to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods

This time of year, it’s natural to give a quick thought or two to the ancestral heritage of the pilgrims, who are legendary for giving thanks to God for their bounty.

But what about spiritual pilgrims and pilgrimages today? If you’re like most Americans, you may not think a lot about that possibility.

What better time of year is there to begin fortifying your spiritual feast and thanking God for your bounty? So befitting, then, that pilgrims who are experts about spiritual pilgrimages, gathered at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for the annual convention of the National Association of Shrine and Pilgrimage Apostolate (NASPA).

“Each year, this national group has an annual meeting. We go to some place that has a national shrine. This year, the shrine of Saint Mother Theodore is our location,” said Msgr. Walter Rossi JCL, president of the association. Msgr. Rossi also serves as rector at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., one of the most renowned churches in the world.

“We hope our presence here brings more awareness to Saint Mother Theodore [Guerin], and also to the Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, and also the full concept and spiritual tradition of pilgrimage and shrine which is something most American Catholics have no concept of. We are trying to encourage that in a greater way,” Msgr. Rossi said.

Twenty-six people who are responsible for shrines throughout the United States made their pilgrimage to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for the three-day program. Also included was a trip to Vincennes to see historical places there that had a significant role in the Sisters of Providence foundation years.

“The purpose of our gathering is to share ideas, share wisdom, share understanding and to see how we can continue to promote the whole question and practice of pilgrimages throughout the country, and to get people to understand the importance of making a pilgrimage,” Msgr. Rossi said. “Pilgrimages are more of a European tradition. European folks have grown up with the custom of going on pilgrimages, one shrine to another. That’s part of their spirituality. That is something we need to develop and encourage. That’s what this meeting is all about.

“How do you do that? By telling people there is much more to life than going on vacation. We need spiritual vacations, spiritual trips. The purpose is not to see something, but to gain something internally and that is through a relationship with the Lord. We can do that by speaking to people about their spiritual life. There has to be something more. You need to develop it. Pilgrimages are a way to develop your spiritual life. Once you convince people to make a spiritual journey, and they actually do it, they understand better and they encourage others to do the same thing,” Msgr. Rossi emphasized.

For the record, the association’s president defined a shrine as a “special place, a significant place, where people go in order to pray, to come into contact with God, and it’s normally a place associated with the life of our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or one of the saints like Saint Mother Theodore. It’s a building, a place. A pilgrimage is designed as a spiritual journey. We all go on vacation, we make trips. It is a spiritual trip with the purpose of coming closer to the Lord.”

Msgr. Rossi has been to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods twice previously. What are his thoughts about the historic grounds?

“Saint Mary-of-the-Woods is a magnificent, magnificent place. It is definitely a place where people should come, not only to come to pray, but also to walk in communion with the Lord. This beautiful, conventual church (Church of the Immaculate Conception) is magnificent, a hundred years old, beautifully restored. Above all, you have the presence of Mother Theodore here and what more could you ask for than to be in the presence of a saint?”

Sister Denise Wilkinson, general superior of the Sisters of Providence, spoke with the group for a morning-long session on Tuesday (Nov. 9). She talked about the evangelization of Indiana by Saint Mother Theodore, and included her own insights about Saint Mother Theodore as a person. “It was shear joy to do that. They already had been on a tour of the grounds and experienced the place of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, and everywhere they went people talked to them about Mother Theodore. They were very open to it. Each of those people in that group has responsibilities for a place where people come to pray and gather, to thank God, to ask favors of God. We are very grateful that they chose to have their annual meeting here,” she said.

You don’t need a pilgrim’s hat or bonnet to visit Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and Saint Mother Theodore’s Shrine. Just make your plans to visit. During October, visitors, pilgrims if you will, came to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods from Indiana, Illinois, Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Nevada, Kentucky, Florida, California, Minnesota, Maryland, Virginia, Michigan, Colorado, Ohio, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Montana, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Visitors also came from Northern Ireland, Haiti and Canada.

Novena to Our Lady of Providence

The Sisters of Providence have been home to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Providence since May 1, 1925, but devotion to Our Lady of Providence began long before. The original painting, "Mater Divinae Providentiae," dates back to 1580 and came into the possession of the Barnabite Fathers at San Carlo ai Catinari in Rome. It was placed in a corridor there, where it began to draw faithful visitors.

While it is a beautiful piece of art, the Shrine also serves as a reminder of the importance of mothers. Special prayers are offered for the needs of all families, asking for the protection and intercession of Our Lady of Providence as Queen of the Home.

This year, the novena to Our Lady of Providence should be said Nov. 11-19. The novena will be offered daily through this blog. You can have it delivered to your inbox by clicking here to subscribe now.

The public is invited to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Providence on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Chapel in Owens Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. (Note the change of venue. Construction this year requires us to hold services in St. Joseph Chapel.) Providence Center staff and Sisters of Providence are included in a processional at the beginning and end of services. The painting of Our Lady of Providence, which is usually at the Shrine in Providence Center, will be placed in the sanctuary of the chapel.

More information about Our Lady of Providence can be found on the Sisters of Providence Web site at the links below:

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

You are invited

The public is invited to participate in an afternoon of celebration when 20 Providence Candidate-Associates make their first commitments as Providence Associates on Saturday, Nov. 13, at 1:30 p.m. (EST). During the ceremony, more than 60 Providence Associates will renew their commitments. The Rite of Commitment and Renewal will take place during a Eucharistic Liturgy in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Renewal ceremonies are also slated for Saturday, Nov. 20, in River Grove, Ill., and Indianapolis.

Please come and help all of our Providence Associates celebrate a very special day.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Second commitment ceremony held in Taiwan

Lilia Samson Huang is our newest Providence Associate in Taiwan! Lilia made her commitment in a ceremony attended by Sisters of Providence, family and friends on Saturday, Oct. 30. Special guests during the day were General Officers Paula Damiano and Nancy Reynolds, who were visiting sisters in Taiwan.

Lilia’s companion during her candidacy was Sister Marilyn Baker. To view some images from this special day, click here.

To learn more about Providence Associates, visit here.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

California dreamin’

“Pat and I were sailing high on euphoria!” said Providence Associate Jeannie Smith about the Rite of Renewal ceremony that she, Pat Ruck and Linda McMahon participated in on Saturday, Oct. 30.

The ceremony took place in the home of Sisters Mary Concetta Bañez, Carol Nolan and Loretta Picucci in Coachella, Calif. Linda, who was under the weather, participated in the day by cell phone. As with many events of the Sisters of Providence and Providence Associates, the day concluded with a great feast.

To view some images from the day, click here.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

A blog for history lovers

Do you enjoy looking at old photographs? Do you like to examine old court records? Do you like visiting antique stores to find treasures? Then the blog on Wabash Valley Visions & Voices (WV3) might be for you!

WV3 is a digital memory project dedicated to the documentation and preservation of the region’s history and heritage in print, pictures and sound. The Sisters of Providence Archives is proud to be one of the founding members of this project.

You can subscribe to the WV3 blog by visiting here.