About Us
Our Mission
Our mission flows from the purpose for which the congregation exists: We live and work that all people may be united with God and with one another. It is rooted in the mission of Christ, the same mission which continually unfolds in His church,
“That all may be one as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; I pray that they may be one in Us.”
Guiding Principles
The Congregation of St. Joseph recognizes that every part of creation is interconnected and a revelation of God. As women religious, we choose to deepen our awareness of ecological justice, which is both social and environmental, and we challenge ourselves to offer our resources and take risks that contribute to healing in our world. We further commit to walk
in mutuality and solidarity with our human siblings of every culture, race, gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, social class, and legal status in order to help transform our world into God’s dream of one sacred community.
Our Spirituality
Stimulated by the Holy Spirit, a Sister of Saint Joseph moves always toward profound love of God and love of neighbor from whom she does not separate herself, and for whom she works following Christ’s example to achieve unity of neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God.
– Adapted from the Consensus Statement of Sisters of St. Joseph
Our Leadership
On August 6, 2023, the fourth Leadership Team for the Congregation of St. Joseph took office. Consisting of sisters from several of our founding communities, this team will serve for a term of five years.
From left are Sisters Helen Skormisley, Kathy Brazda,
Marie Hogan, Pat Warbritton, and Sue Torgersen.
Our Heritage
The Sisters of St. Joseph were founded in 1650 when six women began meeting in a small kitchen in Le Puy, a small town in the south of France. These six women had a common desire to grow in their love of God and serve the unmet needs of the people around them, whom they called their dear neighbors. Under the spiritual direction of a Jesuit priest named Jean Pierre Medaille, they formed the first community of Sisters of St. Joseph.
In 2025, we celebrate the 375th anniversary of our founding with joy, reverence, and humility, recognizing all our sisters who came before on whose shoulders we stand, their ministries and many contributions to the world. We also celebrate with and recognize our current sisters, associates, ministries, and partners in mission who continue this legacy of service today.