Page:Life and life-work of Mother Theodore Guerin Foundress.djvu/10

x for the new diocese of Vincennes, recently established under the rule of the saintly Bishop Bruté, as noted for his learning as he was for his piety, he addressed himself to the Superior of the Sisters of Ruillé. Mother Theodore, filled with the spirit of a missioner, responded to the invitation as a call from God. With her were five other Sisters who shared her missionary spirit — Sister Vincent, Sister Basilide, Sister Mary Xavier, Sister Mary Liguori, and Sister Olympiade. The Bishop of Vincennes, however, was called to his reward before they could start for their destination, and some delay was occasioned. Mgr. de la Hailandière was appointed his successor, and when he was ready to start for his See, he left with the promise that Sisters from Ruillé would make a foundation in his diocese. One year later six Sisters of Providence left their sunny France for the woods of Indiana, embarking on their long journey of four thousand miles, which then required more weeks of travel than it now requires days. The incidents of this journey will be told in the work.

The Sisters arrived at St.-Mary-of-the-Woods the twenty-second of October, 1840, and immediately began their labors. We leave the details for the present history. The record of their great undertaking is told by the development of the works they carried on. When they entered the diocese there were there only a few Sisters of Charity — of the Community of Emmetsburg. Mother Theodore and her companions carried on their work with energy, self-denial, in poverty and in trust in Providence; and God rewarded them, blessing them in a most singular manner, making their undertakings prosper and their numbers multiply. Mother