History
The roots of our Congregation are found in the town of Le Puy, France. Around 1650, the Jesuit priest, Father Jean-Pierre Medaille gathered together women who wanted to grow in prayer and service. Father Medaille provided wonderful writings to shape the Sisters’ spirituality.
As the Community flourished in its early stages so did the political unrest in France. During the height of the French Revolution the Sisters were disbanded, many seeking refuge among relatives. Five of our Sisters were guillotined because they remained faithful to the Church giving shelter to the priests who refused to make the oath of allegiance to the revolution. With the end of the revolution, the remaining Sisters who had been imprisoned were released, and one of them, Mother St. John Fontbonne reorganized the Community members in Lyon in 1807.
In 1836 the Sisters established their first North American house in Carondolet, just outside of the present day St. Louis, Missouri.
Since that time the Sisters of St. Joseph have spread out in numerous directions throughout North America and the world. Our particular branch of the family tree moves from Carondolet, to Philadelphia (1847), to Toronto (1851), to London (1868).
If you would like to read a more detailed history of the Sisters of St. Joseph please send an e-mail to generalate@csj.london.on.ca with your request.
Canadian Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph www.csjfederation.ca
Snippets of History
From the Chronicles written by Sister Genevieve Hennessey.
Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse-1900
The following passage describes the Sisters first residence on Richmond Street North. Prior to the Sisters living here the property belonged to the Anglican Church of Canada and was known as Hellmuth College.
Some months elapsed after the purchase of Hellmuth College before the Community took possession. Hellmuth College in its spristine elegance stood like one of the “Stately homes of England,” in the centre of a spreading park—the city in the smoky distance and the freshness and vigour of the country round about it. On it had been lavished a fortune in the days of free expenditure. All about its interior bespoke elegance and luxury, from the beautiful Venetian glass doors, the flashing chandeliers, to the polished floors that had felt the tread of noble European society, for royalty had been the guests of Bishop Hellmuth, the kindly, genial host. The house itself is solidly built. Its wide corridors and broad staircase strike the spectator by its spaciousness; the sunshine enters unrestricted throughout the length and width of the building. A Jesuit who gave us the first retreat at the Mount remarked as he stood on the veranda, “I have traveled all over Canada, and I have not seen a more delightful spot.” A little spire showed itself among the trees pointing out St. Anne’s Chapel which used to stand on the summit, to the left of the driveway. Mrs. Anne Mills, the Lady Principal of Hellmuth College, interested some of her English friends in the building of this chapel for religious services. It was called St. Anne’s in recognition of her valuable services at the College. The opening of the Chapel and the celebration of the First Mass took place on the Feast of St. Anne, the day on which we took possession of the property. This was the summer chapel for many years. It was an exhilarating little walk out to St. Anne’s Chapel when the Morning Prayer bell rang, but though it was an effort, the Sisters felt rewarded by the reviving fresh air of early morning and enjoyed the chorus of songsters among the trees at that early hour. In winter months, the parlours to the left of the front entrance which opened into one large drawing room, served as a chapel.
St. Ann ’s Chapel added to the beauty of the grounds for many years. Having no system of hearting, the dampness proved most destructive. After the fire at Mount St. Joseph in 1925, the brick was used to make repairs on the main building.
