Saint Mother Theodore Guerin will be remembered in a special hymn celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis on May 3, 2009. Father Harry Hagan, OSB, composed the text of “Come and See the Many Wonders” which is set to the hymn tune of “Beach Spring” by B.F. White.

Father Harry, a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, St. Meinrad, Ind.,  provided Congregation Archivist Sister Mary Ryan with a signed copy of the hymn. In his letter to her, Father Harry wrote:

“Mr. Charles Gardiner who heads the Office of Worship [for the archdiocese] asked me to write the words for the hymn. I wanted to include as many people as possible, but as I tried to name various individuals, it became clear that I could not include everyone. Therefore, rather than run the risk of leaving people out, I chose the two people that no one could argue about: Bishop [Simon] Bruté and St. Theodora. I felt that in their different ways they embraced so much of the ministry that has been done in the diocese over the last one hundred and seventy-five years. When I had to choose just one virtue to focus on for St. Theodora, I consciously chose courage. I am not sure that it would have been the first thing to come to some people’s minds, but it seemed right to me.”

In his letter, Father Harry acknowledged the assistance of Sister Regina Marie McIntyre, who provided some information on Mother Theodore and the Congregation. Sister Regina Marie is the organist at St. Meinrad Archabbey. “She also helped me focus on key elements of her life,” continued Father Harry.

The Mass celebrating the 175th anniversary of the archdiocese will be held May 3 at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The text of “Come and See the Many Wonders” by Harry Hagan, OSB, © 2008, Saint Meinrad Archabbey follows:

Come and see the many wonders
God has worked through many hands.
Come and count the many blessings,
woven from so many strands.
We have seen the face of Jesus
who has dwelt among us here,
Christ the source of all our blessings,
blessings through so many years.

Come and name the men and women
called by Christ and by him sent.
They proclaim the Kingdom’s coming
in his Word and Sacrament.
Sing of Bishop Bruté’s witness,
filled with gentle humbleness,
and Saint Theodora’s courage,
hallmark of her holiness.

Come and tell the many stories,
stories filled with faith and prayer.
With great hope the Church has planted;
now the harvest we must share.
See the wondrous gifts they left us
in each church and school and place
where the Church in Indiana
comes to meet Christ face to face.

Go and live as Christ’s disciples.
Go and be his face and hands,
and proclaim in every parish
that God’s love is Christ’s command.
Raise a song of glad thanksgiving.
Let it ring that all may hear.
For the Father, Son and Spirit
have so blessed us through these years.