Women’s History Month: ‘remoteness did not daunt people’

Although Saint Mother Theodore had her reservations about the remoteness of the location of Congregation, “The Eighth American Saint” illustrates how this fear was soon quelled.

“It did not take Mother Theodore very long to realize that despite its inaccessibility her school was going to prosper. She was beginning to learn, in fact, that nearly everything was inaccessible in that part of the country and that remoteness did not daunt people in the least; that even Saint Mary-of-the-Woods was not too isolated.

“It was also true that the little school was very simple, its furnishings were restricted to necessities, its lighting and heating very primitive; but the pupils were girls of pioneer stock and were used to privations. They did not expect anything better. Even the clothing and supplies they were asked to bring were simple — six summer and three winter dresses, a few towels and napkins, ‘a fine and a coarse comb and a small drinking cup.’

“The simplicity of the life did not trouble their parents either; what they wanted for their daughters was an education in the basics and in the graceful arts, and these they expected the sisters to supply. They evidently felt the sisters did, for the academy was soon going so well that Mother Theodore hoped to open a day school the following year. Already more Catholics were coming to the settlement, and obviously they were the poor for whom a free school would be needed.” (pages 112-113)

To learn more about Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, click here.