Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chambery

The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chambery were founded by Jane Sedgwick of Stockbridge, MA in 1885. The North American Province is one of 13 worldwide provinces that form an international community of approximately 2500 sisters. Our Generalate is in Rome and local communities are located in Africa, Brazil, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, India, Italy, Norway, Pakistan, Sweden and Wales.

The Sisters of Saint Joseph came into being to respond to the many human needs of a struggling world. It is that same spirit that energizes our community today and carries us into the future. Ours is a rich and moving history.
Origins: In the early 1640s, the French wars and great suffering ran rampant through the countryside of Le Puy. Touched by the misery of the people, a small group of women came together. They shared a common dream and desire to dedicate themselves to God, to live among the people and to meet the needs of the poor.
Founding: Historically, religious life was open only to those who brought money, goods or land to the religious order they wished to join. Those orders lived apart from the common people. Strengthened by the belief that they had a true calling from God, these devoted women sought the counsel of a young Jesuit priest, Jean Pierre Medaille, SJ. Under his guidance and encouragement, the first foundation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph came into being. The year was 1650. This new community, located among the poor, served the needs of all and opened religious life to women of all classes.
Persecution: In 1789, the French Revolution created persecution of the Catholic Church and the end of formal religious orders of men and women. But for the grace of God, the Sisters of Saint Joseph almost disappeared as many sisters went into hiding while others faced imprisonment and the guillotine for their beliefs.
Rebirth: At the end of the Revolution in 1807, the community flourished again under the leadership of Jeanne Fontbonne. More and more, generous and courageous women bonded together to serve the needs of their sisters and brothers.
Arrival in the United States: The North American Province owes its beginning to Jane Sedgwick of Stockbridge, MA — a convert to Catholicism. She desired to establish a Catholic school in Lee, MA. Since there weren’t enough sisters in the United States to aid in the running of the school, Jane went to Rome to appeal to Pope Leo XIII to send help. In 1885, five sisters of Saint Joseph of Chambery arrived in Lee to open the school. The rest, as they say, is history. The foundation spread roots into Connecticut and eventually into other parts of the United States.
With a View to the World: Today, Sisters of Saint Joseph respond to challenges that include: violence and abuse, oppression, conflict, hunger, homelessness, and alienation of families, to name a few. Our ministries roam the United States from coast to coast and extend into Mexico. The North American Province is one of 13 worldwide provinces that form an international community of approximately 2500 sisters. Our Generalate is in Rome and local communities are located in Africa, Brazil, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, India, Italy, Norway, Pakistan, Sweden and Wales.
We believe that today there continue to be generous women who share the vision of our founder. Most likely, they are women like ourselves who desire to serve others, in God’s name. And no doubt, they are women of faith who possess great courage and a willingness to risk. We invite you to join us to make Jesus’ dream - THAT ALL MAY BE ONE - a living reality in our world

Areas of concentration
education

social services

health care

business

spiritual care

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu