375th Anniversary
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet join with our fellow Sisters of St. Joseph congregations in celebrating the 375th anniversary of our founding.
In 1650, six ordinary women, under the guidance of Jean Pierre Medaille, SJ, joined together in community under the patronage of St. Joseph in Le Puy-en-Velay, 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 came to call their “dear neighbors.” From their humble beginnings in a small kitchen, the order grew to include communities all over the world.
As a part of our 375th Jubilee Anniversary Celebration, we’ve asked our sisters and charism partners to write blog posts reflecting on integral parts of our history and spirituality, illuminating how these symbols and traditions continue to shape our present and future.
Laypeople called to live the charism
Even from the initial foundation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, our original sisters and Father Medaille knew that the charism of unifying love moved within people who were not members of the congregation. The Sisters of St. Joseph knew that they did not own the charism but rather shared in it.
In the Primitive Constitutions, Father Medaille wrote, “First the end of this Congregation is to unite in a body of religious or of associées and agrégées the holiest persons whom God has in the world who lack the means to enter religion [religious life] or who are not called to it, and to perfect these persons more and more in the exercise of the holy service of God. Secondly, that through the zeal of these same persons, it aspires to provide for all the spiritual and temporal needs of the dear neighbor.”
The first Sisters of St. Joseph lived alongside their lay neighbors in the house in Le Puy. They formed relationships, ministering with their neighbors and sharing their spirituality. These laypeople accompanied the sisters, helping them spread the charism and serve the dear neighbor.
Sharing in the charism
All are called to enter more profoundly into their vocation, even if their ways of living it are different.
Father Jean-Pierre Medaille, SJ
Relationships are central to the spirit and mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Throughout our history, our sisters have lived, served and ministered with laypeople who are drawn to the charism. Today, we continue to expand our community and embrace the charism in new ways that honor our tradition. Here are some of the ways people can be called share in the charism and join our family of Joseph.
Association
Associates, are women and men from various faith traditions, married and single, who extend the mission and share the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph without becoming vowed members. We call them consociates in the St. Paul Province, `ohana in Hawai`i, amigas in Perú and familia de San José in Chile. At present, nearly 800 women and men have made formal commitments as associates of our congregation.
Associates continue to bring the charism to their jobs, faith communities and families as they share their gifts in works of justice and peace, care for the poor and for Earth. They join each other and our sisters in prayer, ministry and the celebration of God’s presence in their lives and the lives of those they meet.
Agrégées
The term agrégée is found in the early history of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Although the original documentation does not offer a clear definition, from the beginning, the Spirit’s call impelled women from varied backgrounds and with diverse life commitments to come together to live out the charism.
Agrégées are lay individuals who are committed to discerning the Spirit’s call and direction through their experiences, living out the charism in active ministries and forming a community of love. Agrégées are dedicated to living a contemplative and simple life, working for social justice, and witnessing the values and commitments of their community.
Today, the Carondelet Agrégée Community is establishing a new independent organization, which will be a testament to the enduring legacy and evolving nature of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The formation of their own organization is a significant step in this journey, allowing them to further their mission and impact in the world.
St. Joseph Workers
The St. Joseph Worker Program is a year-long service opportunity for women ages 21-30 in preparation for a lifelong commitment to social change and personal transformation. Individual growth and development are built on the values of leadership, spirituality, social justice and intentional community grounded in living simply and sustainably.
Every volunteer is matched with a placement, where they spend a 36-hour workweek. One night a week is designated for Sharing of the Heart, a spiritual practice for the Sisters of St. Joseph during which each household spends an evening with spirituality, listening and learning from one another. In addition, the program includes weekly community nights, multiple retreats, social justice opportunities and other development activities to make the year a truly transformative experience.
Partners in Mission
Our partners in mission share in the charism working alongside our sisters and other members of our family of Joseph. Our partners in mission include laypeople serving as staff members for the congregation, faculty and staff at our sponsored schools and institutions as well as staff and volunteers at our sponsored ministries.
