Saint of the Day: St. Theodora Guerin

Foundress of the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods (1798-1856)

Her life

+ Anne-Therese Guerin was born in Brittany and entered the Sisters of Providence in 1825, receiving the name “Sister Saint Theodore.” She made final vows in 1831.

+ In 1840, Mother Theodore (as she was known), was sent with five other sisters to establish a new foundation in the United States in the Diocese of Vincennes, Indiana. She established schools in several cities in Indiana and Illinois.

+ In her efforts to protect her sisters and their ministries from interference (and attempts to gain control) by Church and civil leaders, Mother Theodore endured much suffering, including being locked in a closet by the Bishop of Vincennes because she would not acquiesce to his demands.

+ Mother Theodore also oversaw the construction of an academy and motherhouse for the sisters near the village of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, establishing an independent community: the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods.

+ Saint Theodore Guerin died on May 14, 1856, and was canonized in 2006.

For prayer and reflection

“What have we to do in order to be saints? Nothing extraordinary; nothing more than what we do every day. Only do it for [God’s] love.”—Saint Theodora Guerin

Spiritual bonus

On October 3 we also remember Blessed Szilárd István Bogdánffy. Originally from what is modern-day Serbia, he served as a parish priest and seminary professor in Romania following his ordination. Consecrated bishop of Satu Mare, Romania, on February 14, 1949, he was arrested and charged with treason by Communist authorities on April 5 of that same year. Sentenced to 12 years of forced labor for the “crime” of being a leader of the Church, he was transferred to several camps and was noted for his care for the other prisoners. Blessed Szilárd died in prison from abuse and neglect on October 3, 1953. He was beatified in 2010.

Vocations

To learn more about Saint Theodora Guerin and the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, visit: www.spsmw.org

Prayer

Saint Mother Theodore Guerin,
valiant woman of God,
intercede for us in our needs.
Implore for us through Jesus, the Christ,
the gifts of a living faith,
abiding hope
and steadfast charity,
so that
through a life of prayer
and service with others
we may aid in promoting
the Providence of God
among all peoples.
Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, pray for us.

Amen.

(Prayer provided by the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.