St. Mary-of-the-Woods

I visited St. Mary-of-the-Woods this past weekend. It's both a small college campus and the motherhouse of the Sisters of Providence. The campus served as the perfect backdrop for our weekend dedicated to writing. I enjoyed lush views, secluded nooks, lots of benches and gazebos, a labyrinth, and pretty gardens. I hope to return! One of the missions of the Sisters of Providence is Eco-Justice, which impressed me! I wish more religious folk would see the connection between spirituality and the environment. Here are some photos of the campus.

Does anyone know how this grassy space might be used? I could imagine games of croquet.






I loved how the sunlight fell on this statue.

I enjoyed walking the labyrinth.

The cemetery was a powerful place. A "sea of sisters." I spent some time writing about this, especially how I thought it unfair that priests have tombstones much larger and more ostentatious than the sisters.

The inside walls of the Shell Chapel are literally covered with shells from the Wabash river.

The Sisters of Providence have Eco-Justice as a mission. They host a weekly farmer's market and have a community garden, which I believe is organic.




I spent a lot of time at this pretty spot.

The Sisters of Providence also raise alpacas.










And they have their own semi-truck. I'm not sure why.









Plus a sense of humor!