Pope clears way for canonization of founder of Indiana sisters' order

Published: 2006-04-28

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI cleared the way for the canonization of Blessed Mother Theodore Guerin, the 19th-century foundress of a religious order and numerous schools in Indiana. During an April 28 private meeting with head of the Vatican's Congregation for Saints' Causes, Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, the pope signed a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of the French-born nun. Born in France's northern province of Brittany October 2, 1798, Mother Theodore traveled to the United States as a missionary in 1840 at the request of the French-born bishop of Vincennes, Ind. Mother Theodore, who had been superior of the Sisters of Providence at Ruille-sur-Loire in France, founded the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods. She and her companions also started Indiana's first boarding school for young girls. Before Mother Theodore died May 14, 1856, she set up 10 other Catholic schools throughout Indiana.

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