"Lead a life of perfect charity in honor of the Holy spirit Who is Love itself."  (Max. 4)

It was on the feast of St. Teresa of Avila, October 15, 1650, in the little town of LePuy, in southern France, that six women asked to embrace religious life and formed the first beginnings of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Jean-Pierre Medaille, a Jesuit, approached Bishop de Maupas to share his Little Design. His ideas were based on the mystery of the Eucharist ­ Jesus completely hidden in the Eucharist yet completely present. These first Sisters chose a lifelong commitment of gift of themselves to God through the service of the dear neighbor. This newly formed congregation was dedicated to the instruction of youth, the direction of orphanages and the care of the poor and the sick. The Sisters were organized into small communities, a practice which survives to the present day.

For 150 years, foundations flourished until the end of the eighteenth century when the French Revolution ruthlessly attacked and persecuted all religious orders. The Sisters of St. Joseph were either imprisoned or dispersed. Five of them were guillotined. A never-to-be forgotten example of faith and courage was Mother St. John Fontbonne. On the eve of the day set for her execution came word of the Fall of Robespierre. The reign of terror was over. Cardinal Fesch of Lyons, uncle of Napoleon Bonaparte, asked Mother St. John to rebuild the scattered remnants of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The trials and death of the Revolution did not deter other women from following the Little Design. Living in common their experience of the Christian life and communicating to others the experience of the love of God became a re-creation for themselves and for others.

In 1836 Mother Fontbonne, in answer to a plea made by Bishop Rosati of St. Louis, sent six Sisters of St. Joseph to America. They arrived in Carondolet, Missouri on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25, 1836. Here they established the first convent and school. This is the cradle of the Sisters of St. Joseph in the United States.

By the end of the next two decades branches of St. Joseph Sisters spread throughout the United States and Canada. In 1854, Sisters were called to the Diocese of Buffalo, NY. In 1880, the Buffalo community responded to an urgent call from Watertown, New York. The appeal had been sent out by Rev. Joseph Durin, M.S.C., for Sisters to teach the children of Sacred Heart Parish. In December of 1880, under Bishop Edgar P. Wadhams, first Bishop of Ogdensburg, three sisters: Sr. Margaret Mary Lacey, Sr. Thomas and Sr. Teresa arrived in Watertown. Sister Laurentia arrived in January. The small community struggled. Death and the return of Sisters to Buffalo posed a threat to the Watertown community. A plea was sent to the Sisters of St. Joseph in Erie, PA begging for assistance. The request brought one response ­ that of Sister M. Josephine Donnelly. In 1889 Mother Margaret Lacey and ten other Sisters decided to leave Watertown and begin a foundation in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Sister Josephine recognized the spiritual needs of Watertown and envisioned the tremendous possibilities for good and remained in Watertown. She is considered by some to be the foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Watertown. She was made superior of the Watertown community in 1889. The Sisters of St. Joseph grew slowly but steadily founding schools and doing social service work in many parishes throughout the diocese.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Watertown continued opening and operating schools in all parts of the Diocese of Ogdensburg. In addition, our sisters have continued to explore new horizons! We are dedicated to serving the people of God through a variety of ministries.