Published: May 10, 2008 10:50 pm         

St. Mother Theodore Guerin’s statue dedicated in Washington

WASHINGTON — Faithful from around the globe who visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception will now have a new story of faith to share.

More than 500 people from varied locations and backgrounds traveled to Washington D.C. as Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, presided over the Eucharistic Liturgy and dedication of St. Mother Theodore Guerin’s statue there Saturday afternoon.

“The church was overflowing,” Sister Marsha Speth, Vicar of the Sisters of Providence, said over the telephone Saturday evening.

Plans for the statue’s dedication date back past 2001 when it was first suggested, Speth said.

“It’s been in the process for many years,” she said.

Saint Mother Theodore Geurin was born in 1798 in France, and after taking her vows, accepted a mission to the United States where she founded the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, as well several schools, notably St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in West Terre Haute.

In 1998 Guerin was Beatified by Pope John Paul II, and in 2006 she was Canonized by Pope Benedict XVI.

Sister Connie Kramer, Parish Life Coordinator of St. Ann Parish in Terre Haute, noted that the gathering of so many people had a special impact on the ceremonies.

“It was very energizing to have all those people there,” she said, naming a wide variety of people ranging from friends and family of sisters as well as alumni of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College.

The mass itself lasted about an hour and was conducted in the crypt, the lower part of the Basilica, Speth said.

Afterward, the blessing of the statue took place outside in Mary’s Garden, officiated by Archbishop Sambi, Pope Benedict XVI’s papal delegate to the United States.

Later, a reception was hosted at the nearby Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, sponsored by the Indiana Society and Duke Energy, Speth explained.

The statue, Speth said, will provide those who visit the national center a chance to learn of the saint’s life, and perhaps visit Terre Haute, “and inspire them to a deeper faith.”

As Archbishop Sambi noted the spring weather, Speth said he spoke of a “springtime” for the sisters, as well as all those of the faith, “calling us to a deeper faith and deeper service.”

Guerin’s life, he said, demonstrated “her great love” and “what an example she is to all of us,” Speth said.

“Her message has been handed down to us over the years. That was very inspiring to me,” she said.

And as dark clouds held back rain, Kramer noted the weather itself was “an act of providence,” because the birds were singing in the garden just recently visited by the pope himself.

“It was a very peaceful setting,” she said.

Brian Boyce can be reached at (812) 231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.