Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph
The
Sisters of St. Joseph began in LePuy, France, in 1650 with six women who desired to grow in their love of God and serve the needs of others. Though disbanded during the unrest of the French Revolution, many of the sisters, led by Jeanne Fontbonne (Mother St. John), continued to live as dedicated lay women. The congregation was revived in 1807.
Under the direction of Mother St. John, seven sisters journeyed to America in 1836 to work with deaf children in St. Louis. From there, new communities were formed throughout the United States and Canada.
Today, the Sisters of St. Joseph work in education; spirituality centers; social service programs, and justice and peace initiatives including abolishment of the death penalty, fair and just immigration policies, nonviolence, anti-human trafficking efforts, and care of the environment. Sr. Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, is perhaps the congregation’s best known member today.
© US Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph