Who We Are Charism and Corporate CommitmentAs Women of Providence we participate as co-creators with God
in showing the
face of Providence to our world
and by building a future based on Christian hope... - Congregational Statement on Charism
Sisters of Divine Providence are women of varied and diverse backgrounds and talents. We are united in our deep trust in a Provident God who loves and cares for all creation. Reflecting God's compassionate involvement in our world, we are called to hold all life sacred; create communities of joy and love; promote justice; seek to advance the cause of all people, especially those in need; practice responsible stewardship.
As Sisters of Divine Providence, we have a particular call to discover God's Providence and to help others discover it in all the events of daily life. Our love finds expression in many forms of service -- genuine concern for others is at the heart of our ministry.
Contemporary Theology of Providence
Historically, the prevailing theology was that religious were to be separate from the world. They were defined by words like humility, submissiveness, and asceticism. There was a general shift in spirituality after Vatican II. The Community documents were changed to reflect a new understanding of Providence theology, a move away from passivity, from reliance on God's care for us, to collaboration with God -- to responsibility for making God's Providence visible to others in the world.
"Providence is one of the many names we have for God.
We believe that God's Providence is made visible in the world
through compassion and hospitality.
We try to be present with people in their need." - Michele Bisbey, CDP
Devotional Piece Depicts Contemporary Providence Theology Mary of Cana resides at Providence Heights, the Pittsburgh motherhouse of the Sisters of Divine Providence. Weighing 800 pounds, the 9’ statue stands in an alcove at the front of the newly chapel that bears her name -- Mother of Divine Providence Chapel.
As pivotal as the Wedding Feast is in the life of Jesus’ public ministry, it is striking that Mary speaks only two sentences in the narration. She notes, “They have no wine.” And she directs the servants to “Do, whatever he tells you.”
At Cana, then Mary has two roles. She makes known to Jesus the needs of the community and she tells the community to obey Jesus’ word. From even this brief study of the Wedding Feast of Cana, it would seem that a very appropriate proposal for a contemporary image of Mary, Mother of Providence, is Mary at Cana. Our evolving theology of Providence compels us to focus on actively partnering to make God’s providence visible in our world. Mary at Cana is one who makes God’s providence visible.
The two sentences Mary utters in the Cana story provide us with a sure direction for the role a person of providence assumes in the world. Mary reads the indicators of her time. She sees the needs; she notices what is lacking; she notes where there is scarcity; and she gives voice to the need. In our own day, “they have no wine” can be translated into-- they have no food; they have no shelter; they have no medicine; they have no comfort; they have no freedom. Mary gives voice to the need and thus becomes an advocate—a voice of Providence.
At the same time, in her directive to the waiters, “Do whatever he tells you, she models the role of the disciple who confidently expects that the need will be provided. And she does this with unflappable confidence. She has no doubt that Jesus will do something. In this story, Mary clearly demonstrates how a Woman of Providence makes God’s Providence visible: first giving voice to the needs of the times; then satisfying those needs in accord with God’s word.
Mary, Mother of Providence, walks among us today in the persons of many women and men of Providence. She is among us wherever there is a place of welcome and tender regard. She is among us when we see the needs of our brothers and sisters and give voice to those needs and become advocates. She is among us whenever and wherever we take the initiative to make God’s providence visible in the world. Sisters Reaffirm Commitment to Promote a Consistent Ethic of Life"No one is called to do everything, but each of us can do something.
And we can strive not to stand against each other
when the protection and the promotion of life are at stake." - Joseph Cardinal Bernardin
 In August 2006, more than 200 Sisters of Divine Providence participated in the Chapter of Affairs for the Marie de la Roche Province, which was held at Providence Heights. The Chapter takes place every five years and welcomes Sisters from across the continental United States, Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo. It is a time for reflection, renewal and refocusing on the mission of the Community and how the mission is lived through ministry.
At this year's Chapter, the Sisters confirmed anew their commitment to promote a consistent ethic of life. The Sisters, reflecting God's compassionate care for the world, are called to hold all life sacred, to promote justice, to seek to advance the cause of all people, especially those in need, and to practice responsible stewardship.
 The Community promotes a consistent ethic of life through its corporate sponsored ministries: Providence Connections, Inc., which operates the Providence Family Support Center and Amelia House (a SAFE house in Clarion County); Room at the Inn in St. Louis serves the homeless, providing programming and safe day/night sites for clients and their children; La Posada Providencia in Texas works with asylum seekers, guiding them through the U. S. immigration process. Their educational ministries -- Providence Heights Alpha School, the Sacred Heart Schools, La Roche College and Camp Mishannock -- instill Gospel values in young people who will be the leaders of tomorrow. The Divine Providence Retreat Ministry (Kearns Spirituality Center, Providence Villa, Transfiguration House of Prayer) offers opportunity for spiritual renewal.
 In addition, Sisters and Associates work for justice daily by serving on committees such as Pennsylvanians Against the Trafficking of Humans (PATH), participating in Operation Safety Net, a local group that serves the homeless of Pittsburgh, and holding a weekly Witness for Peace event at Providence Heights. They minister in area non-profits, serving the most vulnerable among us. They volunteer as tutors, mentors, foster parents and caregivers.
In prayer and deed, the Sisters of Divine Providence commit themselves to the protection of life through the eradication of war, poverty, racism, abortion, capital punishment and euthanasia. The Sisters invite you to join them in their commitment to make God's Providence more visible in the world.
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