Our History

We take our inspiration from Mother Emilie Gamelin, who founded the Sisters of Providence in 1843

Mother Emilie Gamelin

Emilie Gamelin, a young widow of Montreal, founded the Sisters of Providence in 1843. Emilie was moved by the love of Christ to serve the many poor, hungry and sick people who lived around her. The people, who looked upon Emilie as "providence" for the needy, named her work "Providence."

Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart

In 1856, Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart and four other sisters traveled to the Pacific Northwest, establishing schools, hospitals, orphanages and other homes of care for those in need. 

	In October 2001, hundreds of Providence pilgrims – Sisters of Providence, Associates, family and friends – traveled to the Vatican in Rome, Italy, for the beatification of Mother Gamelin by Pope John Paul II.
To learn more about the Sisters of Providence, visit our Historical Archives.