French ambassador joins pilgrims for first St. Mother Theodore Guérin Fest

Providence Sister Susan Paweski, left, portrays St. Theodora Guérin during the closing of the inaugural St. Mother Theodore Guérin Fest at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on Oct. 25. She is flanked to the right by Providence Sister Barbara Doherty, chairperson of the planning committee. At right is Providence Sister Denise Wilkinson, general superior, and Pierre Vimont, French ambassador to the United States. In the foreground is the recently dedicated statue of St. Theodora. The statue, a recent addition to the sister’s campus, was dedicated on June 28. (Submitted photo)

Special to The Criterion

ST. MARY-OF-THE-WOODS—More than 230 pilgrims from 12 states gathered at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on Oct. 23-25 for the inaugural St. Mother Theodore Guérin Fest.

The weekend featured a candlelight procession of song and prayer to open the program, keynote speakers, adoration in the historic Blessed Sacrament Chapel, time for personal prayer and group prayer, information on how to live sustainably as well as experience God’s Providence through art and entertainment, and opportunities to learn more about St. Theodora.

One special guest was Pierre Vimont, French ambassador to the United States. France was St. Theodora’s homeland.

Ambassador Vimont hosted several Sisters of Providence at his residence in Washington, D.C., in 2008 when a statue of St. Theodora was dedicated in Mary’s Garden at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. At that time, he promised the sisters that he would visit St. Mary-of-the-Woods.

“I wanted to understand more about Mother Theodore and the Sisters of Providence, and I think an ambassador should uphold his promise,” he said.

“People in other countries have a perception of [the United States] based on your East Coast and West Coast. I enjoy learning about the people and places in between and reporting that information back to my superiors,” he added.

“I’m always very interested in those unknown heroes who came here to your country,” the ambassador said. “You have a lot of French influence here. This visit was too quick. I’m certain I will have to come back.”

The ambassador was present for the Oct. 24 concert featuring Nick Cardilino of Dayton, Ohio. He also toured the grounds on Sunday, participated in Mass and enjoyed brunch at the Providence Center’s O’Shaughnessy Dining Room before his departure.

In her welcome to Fest participants, Providence Sister Denise Wilkinson, the order’s general superior, said, “As Providence would have it, we gather today in response to an inner call, an inner longing to energize our faith and thus live with purpose.

“May we open ourselves to the blessings and delights God has in store for us. In so doing, we will both imitate and honor the extraordinary woman who founded the Sisters of Providence and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, St. Mother Theodore Guérin.”

Ten concurrent breakout sessions were offered during three time periods on Oct. 24, allowing participants to share information from about 20 different presenters and enjoy the beauty of the campus by touring the grounds, visiting shrines, and learning more about Indiana’s first saint.

Providence Sister Barbara Doherty, coordinator of the Shrine of St. Mother Theodore Guérin, developed the idea for the Fest and chaired the planning committee. †