WRITER'S PREFACE.
To the Sisters of Providence at St.-Mary-of-the-Woods the life of the holy and revered Mother Foundress comes as an answer to long yearning and fervent prayer.
To the Sisters of Providence of Ruillé-sur-Loir — if the sword of persecution has not driven them from the cradle-home of the Congregation — this volume will be likewise acceptable, chronicling, as it does, the virtues and life-work of one of their own members. When Ruillé gave to Indiana its pioneer Religious under the leadership of Mother Theodore, it was not unconscious of its sacrifice; but the greater glory of God rose above every personal consideration.
To brides of Christ in other portions of the Lord's vineyard, the life here presented will prove interesting, it is hoped, the principles of the religious state being the same always — the basis must be Gospel precept no matter what the form of application.
And to devout readers in general who appreciate the dignity of a religious vocation, these aspects of a cloistral life will undoubtedly open up new vistas of the beauty of the faith which exhibits in marvellous plan the wonderful, worshipful ways of the providence of
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