November 3, 2006

Letters to the Editor

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Is it St. Theodora or St. Theodore?

First, I would like to thank The Criterion for the many beautiful articles describing the recent canonization of Mother Theodore Guérin for persons like myself who rely on your paper to keep us informed.

However, after reading many articles, we hope you can clear up some confusion on the subject. Which is the correct way to refer to our Indiana saint—is it St. Theodore or St. Theodora?

It seems that every other article refers to her one way or the other. Please help.

I am sure we are not the only Catholics who have this question, and maybe somewhere in the vast information your paper gives us, this has been answered.

In any case, your answer will be appreciated.

-Barbara Woehler, Indianapolis

(Editor’s Note: We have had a few inquiries as to why St. Theodora, not St. Theodore, is the official name given to Indiana’s first saint. One reason the Holy See’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints’ did this was so that people know that St. Theodora is a holy woman, not a man. To make matters even a little more confusing, even though the universal Church will refer to her as St. Theodora, the Holy See has given the Sisters of Providence permission to refer to their foundress as St. Mother Theodore Guérin.) †

 

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