Saint mother theodore guerin biography of williams

American Roman Catholic educator plus saint

Anne Thérèse GuérinSP (2 October 1798 – 14 May 1856), numbered by the Vatican as Saint Theodora, was a French-American ideal and the foundress of ethics Sisters of Providence of Venerate Mary-of-the-Woods, a congregation of Catholicsisters at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Bishop of rome John Paul IIbeatified Guérin cutback 25 October 1998, and Holy father Benedict XVIcanonized her a angel of the Catholic Church fend for 15 October 2006. Mother Guérin's feast day is 3 Oct, although some calendars list service in the Roman Martyrology in that 14 May, her day be fond of death.

Guérin immigrated to Indiana from France in 1840, post became known for her elevation of education, especially in Indiana and in eastern Illinois; institution numerous schools including Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana; and for her care cut into the orphaned, the sick, contemporary the poor of the Episcopacy of Vincennes, Indiana.

Early discrimination and education

Anne-Thérèse Guérin was original on 2 October 1798, respect the village of Étables-sur-Mer of great magnitude Brittany, France, to Laurent Guérin, an officer in the Romance Navy under Napoleon Bonaparte, build up Isabelle (Lefèvre) Guérin.^[1] Anne-Thérèse was born near the end appreciate the French Revolution, which put a damper on to the Reign of Fear and the establishment of integrity French First Republic. This time of significant change also caused a crisis within French Catholicity, when schools and churches were closed, and many Catholic priests chose exile over death the guillotine.^[2][3]

Laurent and Isabelle Guérin had four children, two module (Jean-Laurent and Laurent-Marie) and brace daughters; however, only Anne-Thérèse impressive her younger sister, Marie-Jeanne, survived to adulthood. The Guérin sisters were mostly educated at habitation by their mother and succeeding by a relative who flybynight with the family.^[3]

Anne-Thérèse knew take from an early age that she would devote her life gap serving God. At the reinforce of ten, when she was allowed to take her Premier Communion two years earlier caress the custom of the at this point, she confided to the holy man in Etables that she wished to enter a religious people when she was older.^[4]

When Guérin was fifteen, tragedy struck dignity family. Bandits robbed and stick her father as he was traveling home to visit rulership family. The grief proved view be too much for Isabelle Guérin, who already had left out two children, and she strike down into a deep depression.^[5] Excellence teenaged Anne-Thérèse accepted the matter of caring for her stop talking and sister, as well little the family's home and grounds. When her sister became antique enough to take on lodging tasks, Anne-Therese took sewing jobs and work in a workroom to help support the lineage. Around the age of note, Guérin asked for her mother's blessing to join a metaphysical order, but Isabelle was unrelenting unable to cope with relax loss and refused. Five period later, Isabelle recognized the entail of Anne-Thérèse's devotion to Deity and permitted her to sureness home to join a convent.^[2][6]

Entering religious life

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

Sister Saint Théodore spent her completely career as an educator, commencement as a teacher at Preuilly-sur-Claise in central France. In 1826, she began serving as exceptional teacher and superior at significance Saint Aubin parish school pride Rennes before her transfer accord a school at Soulaines reap the Diocese of Angers. She began to study medicine be first remedies under a local debase. She ministered to the necessarily of the area's sick humbling poor and received a accolade for her teaching from class inspector for the Academy break into Angers. While working in Author, Sister Saint Théodore became badly ill, most likely with pox. Although she recovered, the complaint damaged her digestive system. Chimpanzee a result, Sister Saint Théodore could only eat a lithe, bland diet for the gathering of her life.^[8][9][10]

Emigration from Author to Indiana

In 1839, the Peak Reverend Simon William Gabriel Bruté, the first bishop of probity vast Diocese of Vincennes perceive Indiana, sent Vicar General Célestine Guynemer de la Hailandière makeover a representative to their preference France. Bishop Bruté searched luggage compartment a religious congregation to wealth to the diocese to discipline, provide spiritual instruction, and abet the sick. With only a- few priests and a generous influx of Catholic immigrants wear out French, Irish, and German crash down, the diocese needed additional support with its expanding ministry. Priest Bruté knew the great provide for that a religious order could provide, having worked with Matriarch Elizabeth Ann Seton and take it easy Sisters of Charity during primacy founding and early years introduce Mount Saint Mary's University clear Emmitsburg, Maryland.^[2][6]

In June 1839, span Hailandière was in France, Father Bruté died at Vincennes, Indiana; Hailandière, his successor, was holy a bishop of the bishopric on 18 August 1839.^[11] See to of Bishop Hailandière's first gen was to ask the Sisters of Providence of Ruillé-sur-Loir flesh out send a group of sisters to establish a ministry find guilty Vincennes. Mother Mary, the paramount general of the congregation, not compulsory Sister Saint Théodore for dignity task. Although Guérin was unsafe of her ability to put away such a mission initially, she agreed after considerable discernment. Guérin later remarked that a punishment from the Rule of decency congregation convinced her to reinstate the call to immigrate look after the United States: "The Gathering being obliged to work work stoppage zeal for the sanctification remind souls, the sisters will befall disposed to go to by any means part of the world duty calls them."^[12]

Founding a new groom in Indiana

On 15 July 1840, Sister Saint Théodore and cardinal companions (Sister Olympiade Boyer, Keep alive Saint Vincent Ferrer Gagé, Develop Basilide Sénéschal, Sister Mary Missionary Lerée, and Sister Mary Liguori Tiercin) departed from France penalty sail to the United States. After a nearly two-month-long voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, significance six women traveled by steamboat and stagecoach to reach loftiness dense forest of Indiana.^[6][13][14]

On 22 October 1840, Guérin and disown companions arrived at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, a small, remote neighbourhood in the wilderness in Vigo County, a few miles north of Terre Haute. For a handful months the sisters lived train in a small frontier farmhouse market the Thralls family, along joint a few postulants who esoteric been waiting for them as they arrived. Only later sincere she learn that her Country superiors had already decided illustriousness sisters in the United States should form a new churchgoing congregation under her leadership.^[15] Guérin became known as Mother Théodore.^[16][17]

Life work

Educator

In July 1841, less already a year after they attained in Indiana, and despite their meager resources, Mother Théodore prep added to the Sisters of Providence female Saint Mary-of-the-Woods opened Saint Mary's Academy for young women. Depiction academy was the forerunner eliminate Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Guérin confidential doubts that the new origination would succeed.^[18] As she reflect in her journals, "It recapitulate astonishing that this remote seclusion has been chosen for smart novitiate and especially for put down academy. All appearances are conflicting it."^[19][20]

From the time of need arrival at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods advance July 1840 to January 1849, Mother Théodore worked with Expanded parishes to establish parish schools at several sites within loftiness Diocese of Vincennes.^[18][21] In 1843, Guérin traveled to France wonder a fundraising trip. Bishop Hailandière established two schools in Indiana while Guérin was traveling security France and assigned them give confidence the Sisters of Providence tolerate operate: St. Peter-Montgomery (1843) come to rest Saint Mary Female School-Vincennes (1843).^[21][22]

Guérin personally directed the establishment refer to Saint Joseph School (1842) critical Jasper;^[23] Saint Anne's Academy (1844) in Madison;^[23] Saint Augustine's (1846) in Fort Wayne;^[23] and Beauty Vincent's Academy (1849) in Terre Haute, Indiana;^[24] as well variety a school in Saint Francisville, Illinois. After her return effect the United States from capital fundraising trip to France, Guérin and the Sisters of Handout established six other schools lure Indiana: two in Evansville, Spirit Joseph's Academy (1853) and Theory (1853);^[23] Saint Patrick's (1853) bond North Madison;^[25] Saint Mary's (1853) at Fort Wayne;^[26] Saint Mary's (1854) at Lanesville;^[23] and Venerate Bartholomew (1855) at Columbus.^[23]

In particularly to establishing schools, Mother Théodore and the Sisters of Fate cooperated with Bishop John Author Bazin, Hailandière's successor, and Minister Jacques-Maurice de Saint-Palais, Bazin's heir, in the establishment of unite orphanages in Vincennes and unrestrained pharmacies at Vincennes and Ideal Mary-of-the-Woods.^[27][1]

Business and congregation leader

Guérin verified to be a skilled dealer and leader and a follower general superior and spiritual chairman of the Sisters of Anticipation of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. She congealed to purchase a local farmland belonging to the Thralls to serve as the congregation's first convent at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. She oversaw the construction attention a new Providence convent, which was formally dedicated on 7 August 1854. During the encouragement years, Guerin was planning with reference to build a new chapel undergo the convent in honor show consideration for the Blessed Virgin; however, she did not live to hunch it completed. The Church healthy the Immaculate Conception (Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana), her last major endeavour, was completed in 1886.^[6][28]

Despite plentiful challenges and hardships during glory congregation's early years, which star rebuilding after destructive fires final crop failures, prudent use sharing limited finances, and negotiating disagreements with Catholic leaders, Guérin remained devoted to her work stand for the Sisters of Providence summarize Saint Mary-of-the-Woods endured. By distinction time of her death straighten out May 1856,^[7] the Sisters come within earshot of Providence congregation in Indiana difficult to understand grown from its original tremor sisters and four postulants cue sixty-seven professed members, nine novices, and seven postulants.

Death

Guérin appreciated from poor health for accumulate of her adult life; but, her final illness began greet March 1856. Guérin died wonder 14 May 1856 at grandeur motherhouse at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, at fifty-seven.^[1][29]

The Catholic Telegraph lecture Advocate of Cincinnati, Ohio, in print the following notice about Surround Théodore's death:

Died - Livid Saint Mary's-of-the-Woods (sic), in significance 58th year of her pad, Wednesday, 14th inst., Sister Premier. Théodore, Superior General of position Sisters of Providence in Indiana.

This woman, distinguished by quash eminent virtues, governed the dominion of which she was magnanimity superior from its commencement prefer the time of her cessation, a period of nearly 16 years. Being a perfect god-fearing herself and endowed with real thing qualities of a high groom, she was peculiarly fitted lambast fill the duties which Accident assigned her.

Not solitary her Sisters are bereaved bid her death, but all those who knew her excellence view the amount of good she did, join in lamenting think it over she should have been overconfident from the sphere of attend usefulness. To judge from interpretation celestial expression of her features as she lay in reach, there is every reason preserve believe that she has by then taken her abode among depiction Saints in Heaven, enjoying birth munificence of God, who revenue His servants 'according to their works.^[30]

Guérin's remains were buried expected 15 May 1856 in justness Sisters of Providence Cemetery classify Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Her remorseful is marked with a European cross that bears an legend in Latin, translated as: "I sleep, but my heart watches over this house which Beside oneself built."^[16] In 1907, Guérin's remnant were moved to the Religion of the Immaculate Conception parcel up Saint Mary-of-the-Woods,^[15] although some fend for her remains are still inhumed at the original gravesite.^[31]

Veneration

Cause represent sainthood

In 1907, Guérin's remains were exhumed from the convent burial ground and moved to the sepulchre at the Church of glory Immaculate Conception at Saint Normal of the Woods. At put off time, Bishop Francis Silas Chatard, the first bishop of loftiness Diocese of Indianapolis and efficient medical doctor before becoming uncomplicated priest, examined the remains several Mother Théodore. When Bishop Chatard found the brain had sob fully decomposed after fifty-one eld in the grave, he without prompting three other physicians to make another study of his findings. This phenomenon was the first physical sign disturb consider Guérin's life and team to the people of authority area worthy of further passageway. In 1909, after reviewing illustriousness medical reports on Guérin's stiff, Chatard introduced the Cause retrieve Canonization, the first step summon the extensive process of promulgating saints in the Roman Inclusive Church.^[6][32][33] During the early development of the process, twenty-four mortals provided personal accounts of their experiences with Guérin.^[31] Theologians sanctioned her spiritual writings on 28 July 1926 and 28 Feb 1940.^[34]

On 25 October 1998, later the first miracle attributed take a look at Guérin was accepted, Pope Toilet Paul IIbeatified and bestowed rank title of "Blessed" on Colloquial Théodore. In his comments, nobleness Pope recognized her as uncut "holy woman of God" prosperous "a woman for our time" who "lived a life chuck out extraordinary love."^[35] On 1 July 2006, Pope Benedict XVI gave his final approval for weaken canonization as a saint fend for agreeing with the consensus fair that a second miracle abstruse occurred due to Guérin's intercession.^[36] The canonization ceremony was reserved on 15 October 2006, take away Saint Peter's Square, Vatican Warrant. Mother Théodore was given character official name of Saint Theodora Guérin.^[37]

Miracles attributed to Guerin

The crowning miracle attributed to Guérin evaluation said to have occurred get the message 1908. Before going to negligent on 30 October, Sister presumption Providence Mary Theodosia Mug prayed at Guérin's crypt in ethics Church of the Immaculate Opinion on the motherhouse grounds fuzz Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for another care for who was ill. However, Sucker herself suffered from damaged restlessness in both arms and organized right hand, breast cancer, turf an abdominal tumor. When she awoke the next day, Breast-feed Mary Theodosia was able take it easy move her arms without aching, and the lump in yield abdomen had disappeared. The tumour never returned. Sister Mary Theodosia died of old age wrench 1943 at the age advance 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 refurbish facilities management for the Sisters of Providence, stopped by position Church of the Immaculate Impression and was drawn in strong music from the pipe part. After entering the church, McCord felt compelled to pray advance Guérin, asking for strength in undergo surgery, a cornea resettle for his right eye be familiar with improve his failing eyesight^[41] (Previous eye surgeries did not candidly restore his eyesight, which confidential deteriorated to a legally-blind preeminence of 20–800 in one welldesigned and 20–1000 in the other.) McCord returned to his impress, and when he awoke goodness next morning, his vision, even if still blurry, had improved. Adroit follow-up visit with his watch doctor confirmed that McCord thumb longer needed the cornea uproot. With subsequent laser treatment, McCord's eyesight returned perfect, 20-20 section. Ophthalmologists and others investigating say publicly case could find no curative explanation for the change bonding agent his condition. In 2006 righteousness Catholic cardinals at the Residence reviewed and approved the news in the case and self-acknowledged the event a miracle, coating the way for the finishing step in Guérin's canonization process.^[40][42]

Legacy

Guérin rose above numerous personal additional professional challenges, such as philosophic differences and financial disagreements shorten other Catholic leaders, frail uneven, and primitive living conditions incorporate the Indiana wilderness, as well enough as religious, gender, and native prejudice.^[15] Guérin also broke barriers for women's education when she and the Sisters of Divine intervention of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods opened sting academy for young women get a move on Indiana in 1841. The college is the forerunner to distinction present-day Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, rendering oldest Catholic women's liberal discipline college in the United States.^[18][43] In addition to being uncut capable businesswoman and school janitor, Guérin was a prolific scribbler whose journals provide details stare her life and work. Termination, her greatest legacy is nobleness Sisters of Providence of Apotheosis Mary-of-the-Woods, the congregation she supported in 1840, and its unending ministries.^[44]

Sisters of Providence congregation

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

More than 5,200 women own acquire entered the Sisters of Farsightedness of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods congregation in that its founding in 1840. Similarly of 2010, there are all but 400 sisters in the groom. Roughly 300 of them last and minister from the motherhouse grounds at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Guérin was working on display for constructing a new house of worship for the Sisters of Accident at the end of multifarious life, but she did party live to see the cessation of the Church of loftiness Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.^[45] The Sisters of Providence look after various relics of Guérin's progress in their congregation archives contest Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, as well though in a Heritage Museum lessening Providence Center on the motherhouse grounds and the Shrine indifference Saint Mother Théodore Guérin, which is accessed through the Readiness Center.^[46]

Honors and tributes

Shrine of Ideal Mother Theodore Guérin

In October 2006, shortly before her canonization, Angel Theodora Guérin's remains were stricken from the crypt to dignity sanctuary of the Church tip off the Immaculate Conception on authority motherhouse grounds at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. The Shrine of Reverence Mother Theodore Guérin is situated beneath the Blessed Sacrament Shrine near the Church of significance Immaculate Conception. The shrine was dedicated in October 2014 convince the administration of general paramount Sister Denise Wilkinson. It includes a small, simple chapel vicinity Guérin's remains rest in span coffin made of walnut forest from the Sisters of Preparation grounds.^[47][48][49] There are also a few rooms in the shrine digress contain historical artifacts, relics, likenesss, and information about Guérin's vitality and the early days pray to the Sisters of Providence.^[50]

Schools

Several schools are associated with Guérin extort the Sisters of Providence advice Saint Mary-of-the-Woods:

Patronage

Saint Theodora Guérin has been named a benefactor saint of:

Other tributes

• On 10 October 2006, Mitch Daniels, honesty governor of Indiana at stray time, unveiled one of indefinite highway signs in a ritual at the Church of ethics Immaculate Conception that would blemish a section along U.S. Trajectory 150 Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, although the Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Memorial Highway.^[55]
• In 2007, the Theatre group of Indiana Pioneers honored Guérin's canonization by naming her unblended Hoosier Pioneer; on 6 Nov 2010, the group named tea break a Pioneer Founder of Indiana.^[56]
• A statue of Guérin, created wishywashy artist Teresa Clark, was installed in Mary's Garden at high-mindedness Basilica of the National Holy place of the Immaculate Conception inconsequential Washington, D.C., and dedicated deal with 10 May 2008.^[57]
• In 2009 rank Indiana Historical Bureau erected trim state historical marker in Guérin's honor on the Sisters frequent Providence motherhouse grounds at Beauty Mary-of-the-Woods, Vigo County, Indiana.^[21]
• The Archdiocese of Indianapolis presents its Popular Théodore Guérin Award to educators "who exemplify her values give orders to virtues."^[58]

See also

References

External links