The Sisters of Providence wanted a master plan for the new Shrine for the recently canonized Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, the 19th century foundress of their religious community. Following the Sisters of Providence’s directive of living lightly on the earth, the entire Shrine fits within existing renovated buildings. The 3,000 SF Shrine is integrated into the campus at Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods College near Terra Haute, IN. The shrine is an exhibit that chronicles Mother Theodore’s journey from her early days in France all the way to her pioneer days in Indiana.
Divided into rooms representing different periods of her life, original artifacts, including Saint Mother Theodore’s writing desk, chaplet, prayer book, shoes can be found. The facility includes a cafe and bookstore, meeting rooms, historical display gallery and tomb area with the Saint’s casket. A small chapel room holds Saint Mother Theodore’s final resting place. Visitors are able to spend time with Saint Mother Theodore in this place of prayer and reflection.