The perseverance of Indiana’s St. Theodora Gu?rin, canonized 20 years ago

The Catholic Church marks the 20th anniversary of the canonization of St. Theodora Guérin on October 15, 2026. Pope Benedict XVI canonized the religious sister in 2006, noting her ability to overcome challenges through trust in divine providence.

Born Anne-Thérèse Guérin in the Brittany region of France in 1798, she entered a convent in 1823 to become a Sister of Providence. She took the name Sister St. Theodore, which means gift of God in Greek, to serve the poor through education and care.

At age 42, Guérin accepted an assignment to the Indiana frontier at the request of Bishop Celestin de la Hailandiere of Vincennes. Her life was defined by her commitment to doing what she could to serve God despite the difficulties of her mission.