Posted on 08/11/2007 6:14:30 AM PDT by Kimmers
Terre Haute - It wasn't that long ago when the Sisters of Providence and Saint Mary of the Woods College in Terre Haute were making worldwide news. Now they are doing it again. A four-day auction of their collaborative heritage is capturing attention from all over the world.
The tranquil setting of the Sisters of Providence and Saint Mary of the Woods College near Terre Haute can best be described as heaven on earth. It is not the kind of place for fast talking. Usually it's a place of reflection. This weekend it's both. After 20 months the Sisters and the College have cleaned out their closets and decided to part with some of their heritage.
"This is an event. This isn't really an auction. This setup here could qualify as a museum," said Shelly Dubick, Robert J. Brown Appraisers.
Some would describe it as a cross between a treasure hunt and a divine Antiques Road Show. Saturday and Sunday people will bid for everything from coins, furniture and Civil War letters and paintings, like a TC Steele portrait.
"We had it cleaned. It is an absolutely stunning picture and I am going to miss it now. Now that we know what we had and now that we know what it is worth," said Sister Jeanne Knoerle.
"We are getting worldwide interest. Yesterday we were on the phone to France and Austria and we'll be on the phone internationally again tomorrow," said Dubick.
The auction will also be online, with a live stream allowing for bids from all over the world. Some nun dolls will certainly capture some attention when they go up for bid.
"They're a delightful group of dolls and everyone is different with a different expression and they all have the really authentic habit of that particular religious community," said Sister Knoerle.
"There are 113 going to be sold on Sunday. They have sat there for years," said Dubick.
All the money raised will go to help the Sisters of Providence and Saint Mary of the Woods College to restore and maintain the historical collections they decided to keep. It's a one of a kind auction in a one of a kind location: St. Mary of the Woods, home of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.
The fame of the recently canonized saint certainly helps elevate the interest. "And to share that with people from all over the world has been a marvelous experience."
And that could turn out to be a blessing for everyone.
It's not too late if you want to participate. You can still register on site for auctions on Saturday and Sunday. (See also this link.)
www.wthr.com
They’re auctioning a nun?.............What’s the highest bid so far?....
OK now you have started the jokes
nunsense!...........There is a PLAY (series) by that name! Have you seen any of them?......Our local theater company has put them on a few times! Very Funny!.......
Nun of our business.
I’m not in the habit of buying nuns.......
nuntheless, it’s interesting
Strangest thing I’ve ever seen, bar nun.
I guess Late Nite Catechism in Chicago is funny too
http://www.entertainmentevents.com/shows/late_catechism.asp?bhcp=1
I want nun of this.
And the students were uniformly beautiful.
How unCONVENTional.
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