Providence documentary earns
Emmy nomination

SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS—A 29-minute video that documents the life of Blessed Mother Theodore Guérin, foundress of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, has been
nominated for a regional Emmy Award.

Blessed Mother Theodore Guérin: Her Journey of Faith and Courage is one of four nominees in the special programs category in the annual regional Emmy competition sponsored by the Cleveland chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

The awards ceremony is June 10 in Cleveland. The NATAS Cleveland chapter competition includes television programming that has been broadcast in Ohio, Indiana and western Pennsylvania. The Mother Theodore video is eligible because it has been broadcast on several PBS stations in Indiana.

The video was created in 1998 by the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in honor of
Blessed Mother Theodore’s beatification ceremony by Pope John Paul II in Rome. The Holy Father proclaimed her “blessed” on Oct. 25, 1998, during a ceremony in St. Peter’s Square.

She is only the sixth person from North America to be so honored. Produced by Nineteenth Star L.L.C. of Indianapolis, the documentary utilizes excerpts from Blessed Mother Theodore’s travel journals and letters as well as rare historical images, photographs and recreations. It details the
challenges she met in her ministry, the contributions she made and her ongoing influence as a holy woman.

Blessed Mother Theodore was born on Oct. 2, 1798, in the wake of the French Revolution. The documentary profiles her devotion to God and her spirited determination, as well as the overwhelming challenges she faced—such as discrimination against Catholics and women, poverty, ill health and the barriers of language and culture—when she traveled to America to found a women’s religious order in 1840 as well as a school that is now Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Dave Cox, media relations manager for the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, said Blessed Mother Theodore became a pioneer in Catholic education in Indiana as well as a promoter of justice and equality without sacrificing her deep spirituality.

“The world now recognizes Blessed Mother Theodore as a holy person and a woman of uncommon valor,” Cox said. “Blessed Mother Theodore’s story is an important part of women’s history, Indiana history and North American Catholic Church history. Her legacy of love, mercy and justice continues to be carried out by the Sisters of Providence around the world today.”

Providence sisters from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods minister in 22 states, the District of Columbia, Taiwan and China. †