Sisters of Providence, Mother Joseph

10/17/2026

Today is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed annually (on October 17) by the United Nations to raise global awareness about the need to end poverty and destitution worldwide.

Poverty is, of course, a central focus of the Charism of the Sisters of Providence -- as Mother Émilie Tavernier-Gamelin famously said, “I pray that you always love the poor and that peace and unity be always with you.”

The theme of this year’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, as announced by the UN, is “Safe Homes for All,” highlighting adequate housing as a foundation for security, participation and a life of dignity. According to the UN, 2.8 billion people worldwide face some form of housing inadequacy.

A Prayer for People facing Homelessness

Lord,
You are a God of justice, mercy and compassion.
Support us, Your servants of the poor, as we endeavor to bring Your love and compassion to people who are homeless and in need of Your love.
We pray that we will see You, our all-loving God, in each homeless person we encounter and in our service for those in need.
May we do all in our power to support each person reach their potential, so they experience the fullness of life.
We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Amen.

Prayer source: The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Lincoln, Nebraska Council)

10/16/2026

At St. Joseph Residence, Sr. Jean Schultz, SP, led an icon workshop for her fellow Sisters. Icons are sacred religious paintings used to aid in prayer, meditation, and contemplation.

Sr. Jean is a knowledgable source on the subject: she ministered in campus ministry at Providence High School, then was on the diocesan staff for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for nearly a decade, and has led many spiritual retreats.

10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day: An initiative created and first observed in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. Over the three decades since, both this day of observance (annually on October 10th) and attention to mental health in general have greatly increased, which is a positive trend for the well-being of people everywhere. Still, there is plenty of room to improve when it comes to speaking openly, supporting one another, and choosing empathy as strategies to nurture one another’s (and our own) mental health.

A Prayer for Planting Peace
(In the style of Prayer of St. Francis, by Lizzy Ojo Martens)

Lord, as I reflect on the mental health challenges present within my community, as well as my own lived experience, I ask that you make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is division, let me sow unity.
Where there is stigma, belonging.
Where there is unfamiliarity, awareness.
Where there is sorrow, joy.
Where there is silence or shame, light.
Where there is isolation, inclusion and companionship.
Where there is hopelessness, hope.
O Divine Counselor, grant that I may not so much see to be comforted as to comfort others, and to speak as to listen.
For it is giving that we receive.
And it is in Your presence that we find peace.
Amen.

Prayer source: Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, sanctuarymentalhealth.org

10/09/2026

In joyous recognition of this week's special 25th anniversary of the Beatification of our foundress, Blessed Émilie Tavernier-Gamelin, our Sisters far and wide joined together in celebration and in ministry with their communities 💙

10/07/2026

Today, the Sisters of Providence congregation marks the 25th anniversary of the Beatification of our foundress, Mother Emilie Tavernier Gamelin.

On this day in 2001, hundreds of Sisters, Associates, and family and friends made a grand pilgrimage to the Vatican to celebrate the Beatification ceremonies in person.

Among the group was Sr. Carolyn Koreski, SP, who was received by Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square. Sr. Carolyn passed in 2010, but her image with the late Pope continues to highlight the momentous elements of the pilgrimage. Standing alongside her is Hank Walker, the former president/CEO of the Providence Health System.

Sisters of Providence also attended a Mass (image below Sr. Carolyn's) in honor of Blessed Emilie's Beatification at Papal Basilica of St. Francis Assisi in Assisi, Italy on October 10, 2001.

All images are courtesy of and property of Providence Archives.

10/05/2026

Today, we join our cherished Sisters in Chile in remembering and celebrating Mother Bernarda Morin. The Foundress of our congregation's Chilean community cared for thousands of children entrusted to the Sisters of Providence during her 76 years of ministries in South America, and also cared for the war-wounded in hospitals, and victims of typhus and other epidemics.

On June 27, 1925, she received the highest decoration in Chile, the Medal of the Merit. Mother Bernarda Morin died on this day in 1929, but her legacy continues to strongly reach across borders and inspire hearts throughout the world.

Hoy conmemoramos el fallecimiento de Madre Bernarda Morin, ocurrido un 4 de octubre de 1929. A propósito de esta fecha, les invitamos a leer en nuestro sitio web una reflexión de Fresia Flores, presidenta de los Asociados Providencia:
w w w . h e r m a n a s d e l a p r o v i d e n c i a . c l

10/02/2026

Calling all Sisters and Providence Associates: A new, four-part virtual miniseries in celebration of Providence will begin later this month. All four sessions will be hosted by Nicolas Estrada, PA. Learn more about participating here:
https://sistersofprovidence.net/pa-nicolas-estrada-to-lead-four-part-celebrating-providence-virtual-series/

09/28/2026

Tomorrow, the Sisters of Providence will celebrate the life of Sr. Helen Mason, SP 💐

Sr. Helen knew she had gifts to share in the realm of education, and she traveled a great distance across the Pacific Northwest to share these gifts with countless people throughout her life. Among her prolific ministries was an assignment from the Diocese of Boise to direct a religious education program: and so for nearly a decade, she drove thousands of miles annually to interact and inspire inactive Catholics throughout the region.

Sr. Helen was also an avid learner who relished tracing the history of her community. She was a sought-after mentor and was devoted to making the world a better place.

Learn more about Sr. Helen's life and access a link to join Tuesday's Funeral Mass (September 29) service virtually via Zoom: https://sistersofprovidence.net/sr-helen-mason-sp/

09/27/2026

Today is the Feast Day for St. Vincent de Paul. He is known in the Catholic Church as the Patron Saint of charitable societies, all works of charity, hospitals, and prisoners. St. Vincent de Paul is also the primary Patron Saint of the Sisters of Providence congregation.

“Pray for us, St Vincent de Paul
That we may love God as You did
With the strength of our arms
And the sweat of our brows
Never hesitating to do the hard work
Pray for us, St Vincent de Paul
That we may always be gentle
With the neighbors we serve
Offering our smiles and good cheer
For in them we see and serve Christ
Pray for us, St Vincent de Paul.

Amen.”

(Prayer source: Society of St. Vincent de Paul, USA)

09/24/2026

Throughout our congregation, Sisters have gathered today to remember and honor our beloved and Blessed Foundress, Mother Émilie Gamelin, on the 175th anniversary of her passing.

“I pray that you always love the poor and that peace and unity always be with you.”

A treasured tradition emulating Mother Émilie's works was also renewed in the Providence health system (PSJH). "Table of the King" creates an opportunity for caregivers to provide a special soup and bread meal in their communities, modeling Mother Émilie's renowned practice of serving those who were hungry at her own kitchen table in Montreal.

Sr. Susanne Hartung (picture #2, second from left) was the leading force behind a Table of the King gathering today at PSJH's Renton, Washington Administrative Center.

In Burbank, California, Sr. Rosa Nguyen (picture #3, second from right) and Providence Associates Tim Pham (right) and Lana Pham (second from left) served at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center's Table of the King.

“Humility, simplicity, charity, above all charity.”