History

Beginnings

Three hundred and fifty years ago in Le Puy, France, a small group of women and a priest, Jean-Pierre Médaille, seeded the beginnings of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Their vision was to be in union with God and others. They worked to accomplish this mission by ministering to the most serious needs in the city, especially those of the poor.

This vision attracted others. Communities of the Sisters of St. Joseph spread throughout France over the next century. However, with the start of the French Revolution in 1789, authorities imprisoned many Sisters and their work stopped.

Resurrection

Jeanne Fontbonne, known as Sister St. John Fontbonne, was imprisoned and almost lost her life. She was released when Robespierre fell. After her release, she was able to refound the community in 1808 at the local bishop's request.

North American Sisters

Under Mother St. John's direction, the congregation spread far and wide, reaching St. Louis, Missouri, in North America in 1836. The Canadian congregation was established in 1851, with the arrival of Sister Delphine Fontbonne and three other Sisters, from Philadelphia. At the request of Bishop de Charbonnel, they came to run an overcrowded orphanage amid the typhus- and cholera-stricken poor in Toronto.

Where there was a need

They founded hospitals and homes for the aged in Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia. The Sisters' work expanded to include opening many elementary and secondary schools across Canada. They taught at the postsecondary level at the University of St. Michael's College. Numerous existing social service organizations thrive today because a Sister of St. Joseph saw a need and acted to fill it.

Today as always

The Sisters continue to help people in many ways. They seek to nurture community with the neighbour, especially with the homeless, the alienated, the poor and women at risk. Today as always, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto continue their long tradition of meeting unmet needs with life-giving ministries.

Turn to the Ministries section to get some idea of the scope of their services to people.

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Recreating History

Using historical texts, Sisters of today walk in the shoes of former Sisters to tell the story of those early days

• Read the story of one of the first Sisters in Clauda Chastel: One Of The First CSJ Sisters
• We know of the French Revolution in general from history, but here Sister Martha tells her story and the story of other Sisters of St. Joseph who lived through that terrible time, sustained by the strength of Mother St. John Fontbonne and the Maxims given them by Father Médaille. Read more in The French Revolution.

Historic Moments:

• Do you enjoy reading about historic moments? Read on for an account of the Sisters' arrival in Toronto to found the orphanage
• Read on for an account of the Canadian founder: Sr. Delphine
• To read the story of the House of Providence: The Impossible Dream
• Sister Delphine did not have an easy life, but Our First Superior Rose to the Challenge.
• Read how the Daily Bread Foodbank began: http://www.csj-to.ca/Whats_new/News/2006/food_bank_02_06.php