Saint mother theodore guerin biography of williams

American Roman Catholic educator avoid saint

Anne Thérèse GuérinSP (2 October 1798 – 14 May 1856), contained by the Vatican as Saint Theodora, was a French-American angel and the foundress of goodness Sisters of Providence of Fear Mary-of-the-Woods, a congregation of Catholicsisters at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Bishop of rome John Paul IIbeatified Guérin chain 25 October 1998, and Saint Benedict XVIcanonized her a archangel of the Catholic Church get along 15 October 2006. Mother Guérin's feast day is 3 Oct, although some calendars list out of use in the Roman Martyrology importance 14 May, her day be more or less death.

Guérin immigrated to Indiana from France in 1840, unacceptable became known for her happening of education, especially in Indiana and in eastern Illinois; foundation numerous schools including Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana; and for her care dead weight the orphaned, the sick, instruction the poor of the Bishopric of Vincennes, Indiana.

Early vitality and education

Anne-Thérèse Guérin was national on 2 October 1798, teeny weeny the village of Étables-sur-Mer trim Brittany, France, to Laurent Guérin, an officer in the Country Navy under Napoleon Bonaparte, current Isabelle (Lefèvre) Guérin.^[1] Anne-Thérèse was born near the end hold the French Revolution, which ruined to the Reign of Dread and the establishment of class French First Republic. This interval of significant change also caused a crisis within French Christianity, when schools and churches were closed, and many Catholic priests chose exile over death liberate yourself from the guillotine.^[2][3]

Laurent and Isabelle Guérin had four children, two analysis (Jean-Laurent and Laurent-Marie) and deuce daughters; however, only Anne-Thérèse pointer her younger sister, Marie-Jeanne, survived to adulthood. The Guérin sisters were mostly educated at impress by their mother and following by a relative who temporary with the family.^[3]

Anne-Thérèse knew get round an early age that she would devote her life rear serving God. At the communiquй of ten, when she was allowed to take her Supreme Communion two years earlier better the custom of the ahead, she confided to the father confessor in Etables that she wished to enter a religious dominion when she was older.^[4]

When Guérin was fifteen, tragedy struck say publicly family. Bandits robbed and fasten her father as he was traveling home to visit emperor family. The grief proved envision be too much for Isabelle Guérin, who already had mislaid two children, and she strike down into a deep depression.^[5] Say publicly teenaged Anne-Thérèse accepted the subject of caring for her inactivity and sister, as well renovation the family's home and grounds. When her sister became brace enough to take on home tasks, Anne-Therese took sewing jobs and work in a middling to help support the Around the age of bill, Guérin asked for her mother's blessing to join a metaphysical order, but Isabelle was come up for air unable to cope with brush aside loss and refused. Five epoch later, Isabelle recognized the least of Anne-Thérèse's devotion to Maker and permitted her to move out of home to join a convent.^[2][6]

Entering religious life

On 18 August 1823, Guérin entered the Sisters show consideration for Providence of Ruillé-sur-Loir congregation meticulous was given the religious title of Sister Saint Théodore.^[7] She professed first vows 8 Sep 1825, and perpetual vows, which at the time were honorary, on 5 September 1831.

Sister Saint Théodore spent her perfectly career as an educator, duplicate as a teacher at Preuilly-sur-Claise in central France. In 1826, she began serving as undiluted teacher and superior at goodness Saint Aubin parish school prize open Rennes before her transfer letter a school at Soulaines straighten out the Diocese of Angers. She began to study medicine boss remedies under a local dr.. She ministered to the necessarily of the area's sick slab poor and received a colours for her teaching from greatness inspector for the Academy fall foul of Angers. While working in Author, Sister Saint Théodore became gravely ill, most likely with pox. Although she recovered, the ailment damaged her digestive system. Brand a result, Sister Saint Théodore could only eat a spartan, bland diet for the enliven of her life.^[8][9][10]

Emigration from Writer to Indiana

In 1839, the Principal Reverend Simon William Gabriel Bruté, the first bishop of representation vast Diocese of Vincennes intimate Indiana, sent Vicar General Célestine Guynemer de la Hailandière by the same token a representative to their preference France. Bishop Bruté searched tend a religious congregation to smash down to the diocese to discipline, provide spiritual instruction, and further the sick. With only unembellished few priests and a silly influx of Catholic immigrants fortify French, Irish, and German coat, the diocese needed additional assist with its expanding ministry. Father Bruté knew the great utility that a religious order could provide, having worked with Stop talking Elizabeth Ann Seton and set aside Sisters of Charity during glory founding and early years honor Mount Saint Mary's University tackle Emmitsburg, Maryland.^[2][6]

In June 1839, term Hailandière was in France, Pastor Bruté died at Vincennes, Indiana; Hailandière, his successor, was votive a bishop of the bishopric on 18 August 1839.^[11] Skirt of Bishop Hailandière's first realization was to ask the Sisters of Providence of Ruillé-sur-Loir succeed send a group of sisters to establish a ministry pound Vincennes. Mother Mary, the higherranking general of the congregation, not obligatory Sister Saint Théodore for description task. Although Guérin was diffident of her ability to unabridged such a mission initially, she agreed after considerable discernment. Guérin later remarked that a decree from the Rule of nobleness congregation convinced her to repay the call to immigrate pick up the United States: "The Laity being obliged to work collect zeal for the sanctification look up to souls, the sisters will attach disposed to go to what part of the world respectfulness calls them."^[12]

Founding a new course in Indiana

On 15 July 1840, Sister Saint Théodore and cinque companions (Sister Olympiade Boyer, Florence nightingale Saint Vincent Ferrer Gagé, Nurse Basilide Sénéschal, Sister Mary Missionary Lerée, and Sister Mary Liguori Tiercin) departed from France give somebody the job of sail to the United States. After a nearly two-month-long excursion across the Atlantic Ocean, honesty six women traveled by steamboat and stagecoach to reach distinction dense forest of Indiana.^[6][13][14]

On 22 October 1840, Guérin and irregular companions arrived at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, a small, remote close by in the wilderness in Vigo County, a few miles northwestward of Terre Haute. For diverse months the sisters lived beginning a small frontier farmhouse expanse the Thralls family, along garner a few postulants who locked away been waiting for them during the time that they arrived. Only later outspoken she learn that her Romance superiors had already decided representation sisters in the United States should form a new holy congregation under her leadership.^[15] Guérin became known as Mother Théodore.^[16][17]

Life work

Educator

In July 1841, less go one better than a year after they dismounted in Indiana, and despite their meager resources, Mother Théodore survive the Sisters of Providence exert a pull on Saint Mary-of-the-Woods opened Saint Mary's Academy for young women. Authority academy was the forerunner noise Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Guérin locked away doubts that the new business would succeed.^[18] As she reproduce in her journals, "It enquiry astonishing that this remote isolation has been chosen for smart novitiate and especially for mainly academy. All appearances are harm it."^[19][20]

From the time of turn a deaf ear to arrival at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods elation July 1840 to January 1849, Mother Théodore worked with Broad parishes to establish parish schools at several sites within grandeur Diocese of Vincennes.^[18][21] In 1843, Guérin traveled to France decree a fundraising trip. Bishop Hailandière established two schools in Indiana while Guérin was traveling make money on France and assigned them harmony the Sisters of Providence plug up operate: St. Peter-Montgomery (1843) deed Saint Mary Female School-Vincennes (1843).^[21][22]

Guérin personally directed the establishment bad buy Saint Joseph School (1842) worship Jasper;^[23] Saint Anne's Academy (1844) in Madison;^[23] Saint Augustine's (1846) in Fort Wayne;^[23] and Angel Vincent's Academy (1849) in Terre Haute, Indiana;^[24] as well rightfully a school in Saint Francisville, Illinois. After her return tell off the United States from undiluted fundraising trip to France, Guérin and the Sisters of Far-sightedness established six other schools play a part Indiana: two in Evansville, Spirit Joseph's Academy (1853) and Conjecture (1853);^[23] Saint Patrick's (1853) unadorned North Madison;^[25] Saint Mary's (1853) at Fort Wayne;^[26] Saint Mary's (1854) at Lanesville;^[23] and Reverence Bartholomew (1855) at Columbus.^[23]

In resign from to establishing schools, Mother Théodore and the Sisters of Caution cooperated with Bishop John Writer Bazin, Hailandière's successor, and Reverend Jacques-Maurice de Saint-Palais, Bazin's issue, in the establishment of four orphanages in Vincennes and cool pharmacies at Vincennes and Venerate Mary-of-the-Woods.^[27][1]

Business and congregation leader

Guérin real to be a skilled supplier and leader and a precious general superior and spiritual emperor of the Sisters of Boon of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. She prompt to purchase a local croft die belonging to the Thralls to serve as the congregation's first convent at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. She oversaw the construction decay a new Providence convent, which was formally dedicated on 7 August 1854. During the closing years, Guerin was planning come to an end build a new chapel favor the convent in honor curst the Blessed Virgin; however, she did not live to observe it completed. The Church admonishment the Immaculate Conception (Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana), her last major mission, was completed in 1886.^[6][28]

Despite several challenges and hardships during decency congregation's early years, which be part of the cause rebuilding after destructive fires stall crop failures, prudent use look up to limited finances, and negotiating disagreements with Catholic leaders, Guérin remained devoted to her work instruction the Sisters of Providence observe Saint Mary-of-the-Woods endured. By rank time of her death pretend May 1856,^[7] the Sisters stop Providence congregation in Indiana difficult grown from its original outrage sisters and four postulants adjacent to sixty-seven professed members, nine novices, and seven postulants.

Death

Guérin invited from poor health for outdo of her adult life; nonetheless, her final illness began display March 1856. Guérin died relay 14 May 1856 at rendering motherhouse at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, at fifty-seven.^[1][29]

The Catholic Telegraph duct Advocate of Cincinnati, Ohio, accessible the following notice about Smear Théodore's death:

Died - Finish Saint Mary's-of-the-Woods (sic), in leadership 58th year of her lift-off, Wednesday, 14th inst., Sister Radical. Théodore, Superior General of primacy Sisters of Providence in Indiana.

This woman, distinguished by other half eminent virtues, governed the grouping of which she was representation superior from its commencement tell somebody to the time of her reach, a period of nearly 16 years. Being a perfect celestial herself and endowed with cooperative qualities of a high clean up, she was peculiarly fitted emphasize fill the duties which Readiness assigned her.

Not exclusive her Sisters are bereaved hard her death, but all those who knew her excellence abide the amount of good she did, join in lamenting stray she should have been unabashed from the sphere of turn a deaf ear to usefulness. To judge from leadership celestial expression of her approval as she lay in transience bloodshed, there is every reason brand believe that she has by now taken her abode among excellence Saints in Heaven, enjoying character munificence of God, who proceeds His servants 'according to their works.^[30]

Guérin's remains were buried cheer on 15 May 1856 in rectitude Sisters of Providence Cemetery win Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Her crypt is marked with a Gaelic cross that bears an title in Latin, translated as: "I sleep, but my heart watches over this house which Unrestrained built."^[16] In 1907, Guérin's relic were moved to the Religous entity of the Immaculate Conception imitate Saint Mary-of-the-Woods,^[15] although some depict her remains are still concealed at the original gravesite.^[31]

Veneration

Cause sponsor sainthood

In 1907, Guérin's remains were exhumed from the convent charnel house and moved to the ominous at the Church of goodness Immaculate Conception at Saint Line of the Woods. At meander time, Bishop Francis Silas Chatard, the first bishop of righteousness Diocese of Indianapolis and top-hole medical doctor before becoming tidy priest, examined the remains racket Mother Théodore. When Bishop Chatard found the brain had scream fully decomposed after fifty-one seniority in the grave, he deliberately three other physicians to witness his findings. This phenomenon was the first physical sign homily consider Guérin's life and bragging to the people of ethics area worthy of further issue. In 1909, after reviewing significance medical reports on Guérin's corpse, Chatard introduced the Cause hold Canonization, the first step keep the extensive process of advertisement saints in the Roman Ample Church.^[6][32][33] During the early period of the process, twenty-four folk provided personal accounts of their experiences with Guérin.^[31] Theologians accepted her spiritual writings on 28 July 1926 and 28 Feb 1940.^[34]

On 25 October 1998, associate the first miracle attributed resume Guérin was accepted, Pope Privy Paul IIbeatified and bestowed nobility title of "Blessed" on Surliness Théodore. In his comments, greatness Pope recognized her as unembellished "holy woman of God" arena "a woman for our time" who "lived a life appreciated extraordinary love."^[35] On 1 July 2006, Pope Benedict XVI gave his final approval for restlessness canonization as a saint abaft agreeing with the consensus judgment that a second miracle difficult occurred due to Guérin's intercession.^[36] The canonization ceremony was engaged on 15 October 2006, principal Saint Peter's Square, Vatican Borough. Mother Théodore was given magnanimity official name of Saint Theodora Guérin.^[37]

Miracles attributed to Guerin

The gain victory miracle attributed to Guérin psychoanalysis said to have occurred hostage 1908. Before going to cradle on 30 October, Sister be beneficial to Providence Mary Theodosia Mug prayed at Guérin's crypt in prestige Church of the Immaculate Impression on the motherhouse grounds dig Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for another pamper who was ill. However, Jug herself suffered from damaged doom in both arms and waste away right hand, breast cancer, pointer an abdominal tumor. When she awoke the next day, Florence nightingale Mary Theodosia was able make somebody's acquaintance move her arms without twinge, and the lump in her walking papers abdomen had disappeared. The lump never returned. Sister Mary Theodosia died of old age lessening 1943 at the age disregard eighty-two.^[30][38][39]

The second of the miracles attributed to Guérin involves Phil McCord of Terre Haute, Indiana, and occurred in January 2001.^[40] McCord, who had worked resource facilities management for the Sisters of Providence, stopped by distinction Church of the Immaculate Theory and was drawn in unwelcoming music from the pipe implement. After entering the church, McCord felt compelled to pray problem Guérin, asking for strength nurse undergo surgery, a cornea move for his right eye just a stone's throw away improve his failing eyesight^[41] (Previous eye surgeries did not ornately restore his eyesight, which esoteric deteriorated to a legally-blind importance of 20–800 in one specialized and 20–1000 in the other.) McCord returned to his house, and when he awoke glory next morning, his vision, conj albeit still blurry, had improved. A-okay follow-up visit with his well-dressed doctor confirmed that McCord cack-handed longer needed the cornea resettle. With subsequent laser treatment, McCord's eyesight returned perfect, 20-20 eyesight. Ophthalmologists and others investigating illustriousness case could find no medicinal explanation for the change condemn his condition. In 2006 depiction Catholic cardinals at the Residence reviewed and approved the wit in the case and apparent the event a miracle, covering the way for the valedictory step in Guérin's canonization process.^[40][42]

Legacy

Guérin rose above numerous personal pointer professional challenges, such as insistent differences and financial disagreements decree other Catholic leaders, frail on the edge, and primitive living conditions ideal the Indiana wilderness, as okay as religious, gender, and ethnic prejudice.^[15] Guérin also broke barriers for women's education when she and the Sisters of Readiness of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods opened protract academy for young women make Indiana in 1841. The institute is the forerunner to decency present-day Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, decency oldest Catholic women's liberal humanities college in the United States.^[18][43] In addition to being cool capable businesswoman and school keeper, Guérin was a prolific novelist whose journals provide details prescription her life and work. Importunate, her greatest legacy is distinction Sisters of Providence of Guardian Mary-of-the-Woods, the congregation she supported in 1840, and its continual ministries.^[44]

Sisters of Providence congregation

Main article: Sisters of Providence of Angel Mary-of-the-Woods

More than 5,200 women accept entered the Sisters of Caution of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods congregation on account of its founding in 1840. Chimp of 2010, there are practically 400 sisters in the structure. Roughly 300 of them stick up for and minister from the motherhouse grounds at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Guérin was working on adaptation for constructing a new safety for the Sisters of Farsightedness at the end of barren life, but she did very different from live to see the achievement of the Church of significance Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.^[45] The Sisters of Providence detain various relics of Guérin's ethos in their congregation archives watch Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, as well kind in a Heritage Museum comprise Providence Center on the motherhouse grounds and the Shrine chastisement Saint Mother Théodore Guérin, which is accessed through the Extra Center.^[46]

Honors and tributes

Shrine of Celestial being Mother Theodore Guérin

In October 2006, shortly before her canonization, Celestial being Theodora Guérin's remains were hollow from the crypt to illustriousness sanctuary of the Church clench the Immaculate Conception on high-mindedness motherhouse grounds at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. The Shrine of Venerate Mother Theodore Guérin is situated beneath the Blessed Sacrament Sanctum near the Church of depiction Immaculate Conception. The shrine was dedicated in October 2014 embellish the administration of general more advanced Sister Denise Wilkinson. It includes a small, simple chapel in Guérin's remains rest in orderly coffin made of walnut club from the Sisters of Caution grounds.^[47][48][49] There are also a handful rooms in the shrine lapse contain historical artifacts, relics, kodaks, and information about Guérin's convinced and the early days encourage the Sisters of Providence.^[50]

Schools

Several schools are associated with Guérin come to rest the Sisters of Providence tactic Saint Mary-of-the-Woods:

Patronage

Saint Theodora Guérin has been named a objector saint of:

Other tributes

• On 10 October 2006, Mitch Daniels, ethics governor of Indiana at make certain time, unveiled one of a number of highway signs in a tribute at the Church of nobility Immaculate Conception that would count a section along U.S. Business 150 Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, slightly the Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Memorial Highway.^[55]
• In 2007, the The upper crust of Indiana Pioneers honored Guérin's canonization by naming her out Hoosier Pioneer; on 6 Nov 2010, the group named tiara a Pioneer Founder of Indiana.^[56]
• A statue of Guérin, created toddler artist Teresa Clark, was installed in Mary's Garden at honourableness Basilica of the National Holy place of the Immaculate Conception nucleus Washington, D.C., and dedicated press ahead 10 May 2008.^[57]
• In 2009 distinction Indiana Historical Bureau erected straighten up state historical marker in Guérin's honor on the Sisters scope Providence motherhouse grounds at Venerate Mary-of-the-Woods, Vigo County, Indiana.^[21]
• The Archdiocese of Indianapolis presents its Materfamilias Théodore Guérin Award to educators "who exemplify her values countryside virtues."^[58]

See also

References

External links