By Meg Jalsevac
TERRE HAUTE, Indiana, October 12, 2006 (LifeSiteNews) – Blessed Mother Theodore Guerin will be named a saint of the Catholic Church on Sunday, October 15, 2006. The nun, who had to endure considerable persecution from her bishop, always acted with respect but firmness when she had to act against his wishes. As such she is seen as a timely example for today’s faithful Catholic clergy and laity, who have in many dioceses had to endure poor leadership, persecution and the sexual abuse scandals from their bishops.
Blessed Mother Theodore was born Anne Therese Guerin to a sea faring family in Brittany, France in the year 1798. At her First Communion at age 10 she informed the parish priest that she was going to dedicate her life to God and His work. She later entered the Sisters of Providence of Ruillé-sur-Loir, France, a young community who dedicated themselves to teaching and caring for the sick. Soon after entering the religious community, Mother Theodore suffered from a disease that left her unable to eat solid food. She subsequently survived on soft foods and liquids for the rest of her life.ÂÂ
Around the year 1839, Bishop Celestine de la Hailandière of the American diocese of Vincennes in Indiana requested that the Sisters of Providence form a mission in his diocese. Mother Theodore was chosen to lead the mission. After a journey that lasted almost four months, she and 5 other sisters arrived at the new mission territory. Over the next several years, the Sister of Providence of St. Mary of the Woods, as their new foundation was called, opened and taught at several schools and orphanages for both boys and girls.Â
The fledgling order, led by their superior Mother Theodore, faced many trials in their work in America. Bishop de la Hailandiere, the bishop who initially invited the nuns to come, proved to be very difficult to work with and one of their greatest trials. He was determined to assert his absolute authority over the community despite what the rule of their Order maintained.Â
Mother Theodore always acted with respect but firmness when she had to act against his wishes. In 1847, the bishop even went so far as to banish Mother Theodore from her mission and release her from her vows. However, not long after, Bishop de la Hailandiere was forced to submit his resignation to Rome because of other conflicts in his diocese. Rome accepted the resignation and appointed a successor who supported Mother Theodore and her sisters in their mission.
Mother Theodore died on May 14, 1856, at the young age of 57. Pope John Paul II beatified her on Oct. 25, 1998. Her feast day is honored on October 3.
Mother Theodore is seen as an example to many Catholics today who, at times, must try to reconcile obedience with acting in accord with one’s own authentic Catholic conscience. Many faithful lay people, clergy and religious alike, have been undergoing persecution, injustice or serious negligence from unfaithful Church authorities that are supposed to be guiding and supporting them. The widespread abuse scandal that American Catholics have just experienced is evidence of the corruption of some of the authorities in the Catholic Church.Â
The story of Mother Theodore’s life may be a shot in the arm that the faithful need to be encouraged in their often seemingly uphill battles. Pro-life and pro-family leaders, for example, have for years been disheartened by a persistent lack of meaningful support and even cruel opposition from many of their bishops and other Church authorities. However, Mother Theodore’s respectful but firm response to these scandalous Church authorities has been a strong example that, despite, and perhaps because of such trials, the sanctity that the faithful should above all be strivingÂfor is very much attainable.Â