Guerin Prep marks canonization of its patron

Published: 2006-10-04

CHICAGO (CNS) -- Providence Sister Marie Kevin Tighe took over in 1996 as promoter of the sainthood cause of Mother Theodore Guerin, foundress of the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. It was 87 years after the cause was opened and the Vatican had not yet accepted the first miracle attributed to Mother Theodore's intercession, the healing of Providence Sister Mary Theodosia Mug in 1908. Phil McCord, the director of facilities for the religious community in Indiana, didn't start working for the sisters until 1997. He never thought he would need a miracle, but in 2000 he needed a corneal transplant after suffering complications from cataract surgery. The healing of McCord's eye was accepted by the Vatican as the second miracle attributed to Mother Theodore's intercession, and the foundress will be canonized in Rome Oct. 15. In general, the church must confirm two miracles before sainthood is declared. Sister Marie Kevin and McCord shared their stories in mid-September with the nearly 700 students at Guerin College Preparatory High School in River Grove, in the Chicago Archdiocese. It is the only high school operated by the congregation.

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