The Sisters of St. Joseph , also known as the Congregation of the Sisters of St. This congregation, named for Saint Joseph , has approximately 14, members worldwide: about 7, in the United States ; 2, in France; and are active in 50 other countries.
In India, they operate hospitals, homes, and orphanages. The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Medaille sought to establish an ecclesiastically approved congregation of women who would profess simple vows, live in a small group, with no specific apostolates and would dress in a common garb of the women of their day.
Although the Congregation celebrates October 15, as its beginning, there is evidence that points to an earlier founding, more likely between and In turn they taught others to make lace and ribbon.
The new Congregation enjoyed rapid growth, expanding into eighteen houses during the first decade. By the time of the French Revolution , almost years later, the Sisters had spread to twelve dioceses in the southeast corner of France.
The Sisters were forced to choose between returning to their families or leaving France to join communities in other countries. Some Sisters who remained became martyrs. Others were imprisoned at St-Didier, Feurs and Clermont. The congregation was re-established in by Jeanne Fontbonne in Lyon, France.
