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Becoming a sister

Last Updated 12/14/2009 9:24:48 AM

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By: Christina Blust

The Sisters of Providence motherhouse in Ruillé

Two months before she turned 25 - on August 18, 1823 - Anne-Thérèse entered the Sisters of Providence of Ruillé-sur-Loir, France, a young community of women religious who served as teachers and cared for the sick and poor. She became known as Sister St. Theodore.

Shortly after joining the Sisters of Providence, she got sick and nearly died. The medicine she took damaged her stomach so for the rest of her life, she existed on simple liquids and soft food. From then on, she suffered related illnesses but was still able to serve in so many ways.

Sister St. Theodore spent her early years at the motherhouse in Ruillé. Then, because of the devastation of the French Revolution, women religious were needed in the mission field. In January 1825, Sister St. Theodore was sent to teach at Preuilly-sur-Claise in a school of the Sisters of Providence of Ruillé.

Reaching out

Sister St. Theodore had to deal with sickness (either her own or while helping others) for most of her life. It’s hard to be cheerful and caring when you don’t feel well, isn’t it?

Do you know someone who has been ill? How do you think that person feels? Is it hard for the person who is ill to do even the simplest tasks? Is there someone who could use help? Think of ways to show someone you care. You can give a person who is ill a flower, draw her or him a picture or help clean her or his room.

Vocabulary

Sister St. Theodore: At this time, women who entered a religious congregation were given a religious name — usually a saint’s name — to help them identify with their new life.

French Revolution: Lasting from 1789 to 1799, the French Revolution led to the overthrow of the monarchy. The Catholic Church was forced to operate “underground” as property was seized, schools were closed and religious congregations were forced to disband. Eventually, the revolution and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte created social, judicial and church reforms, but wars and economic turmoil left much of the French population devastated.