Saint Mary- of-the-Woods, Indiana

(Photos: Sisters of Providence of
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods)

Destination: The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., were founded in 1840 by St. Mother Theodore Guerin. Their home today is the site of a college, and several shrines, including one for their founder. It is five miles northwest of downtown Terre Haute, Ind., off Indiana Rt. 150.
Masses are held at 11 a.m. on Sunday and at 11:30 a.m., Monday-Saturday at Church of the Immaculate Conception, where the shrine of St. Mother Theodore Guerin is housed (above). Call ahead for holiday Mass times.
Why to go: St. Mother Guerin and five other Sisters of Providence came to the United States from France to be educators, so it’s no surprise that there is a college, a high school and a pre-school where they began their work. But at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, you’ll also find an outdoor Way of the Cross, Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Providence (right), Blessed Sacrament Chapel, the 125-year-old St. Anne Shell Chapel, and a labyrinth for quiet contemplation. Whatever your reason for visiting, start at the Providence Center, where information is available and tours begin.
Special events: A workshop about saving heirloom vegetable seeds is scheduled March 21. Cost is $20 per person or $35 per family. Info: Candace Hack at 812/535-2935 or chack@spsmw.org.
Ammenities: O’Shaughnessy Dining Room serves Sunday brunch 10:45 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. Cost: $12.50 for adults; $11.50 for seniors age 55 and older; $6.75 for children 6-11; free for children younger than 6. There are also lunch and dinner buffets on other days of the week.
Access: While there is plenty of room to walk, most sites on the grounds are also accessible to the handicapped.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Saint Mary-of-the-Woods welcomes visitors of all ages. 
Info: Address: 1 Sisters of Providence Road; Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876. Phone: 812/535-3131. Web: www.spsmw.org

 - Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org.