Educational Resources
A variety of educational resources and activities are available to access via the following websites. We hope these will help to promote a better understanding and knowledge of the legacy of Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods: Mary MacKillop Place Mary MacKillop Precinct Mary MacKillop Today Please note resources will be added as they […]
Rural Ministry
The Constitutions of the Sisters of Saint Joseph reminds us that Mary and Julian in founding the Congregation were responding to needs they perceived in the ‘misery and wretchedness’ of the ‘bush children’ and ‘the afflicted poor’. In the book, Ten Years in the Bush, 1866 we read that Julian “thought it (Penola) was a very […]
First Foundation in Callan, Ireland
Josephite Sisters Among 2000 Young Women Missionaries from Callan, County Kilkenny. In 1884 St Brigid’s Missionary School was established by the Sisters of Mercy in Callan and existed until 1959. The aim of the secondary boarding school was to provide an opportunity for young girls to test their desire for religious life and prepare for […]
Josephite Associates become Josephite Companions
A New Chapter for Josephite Associates. On this tenth anniversary of the canonisation of Saint Mary MacKillop, we also celebrate a milestone in the life of those women and men who are drawn to give expression to living the Gospel with a Josephite heart. Formerly known as Josephite Associates, the Josephite Companions will launch their […]
Victoria 1890
The story of the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Victoria is very much connected with Mary MacKillop. Victoria is the birthplace of Mary MacKillop, the first Sister of Saint Joseph. Mary was born in Marino Cottage, Brunswick Street, Newtown (now Fitzroy) in 1842. Today, a plaque honours Mary’s birthsite where people can pray. Across the […]
South Australia 1866
The Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart were founded in Penola, South Australia in 1866 by Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods. Mary had been working in Penola as a governess when she first met Father Woods. At the time he was trying desperately, but without success, to establish Catholic schools, in […]
Peru 1981
On 1 April 1981, a community of Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart touched down at Lima Airport to learn that they were illegal immigrants Thus, began the process of finding one’s way in a new culture going forward armed with a year’s preparation at the Columban’s Pacific Mission Institute – but with […]
Aotearoa New Zealand 1880
The story of the Josephites in Aotearoa New Zealand began in the late 19th century as two threads, which developed separately for a considerable period of time, then began to intertwine in varying degrees, until finally emerging as one in 2013. In 1880, from the Diocesan foundation at Perthville, New South Wales, four Sisters of […]
Images and Text Permissions
Permission is required for use of ALL images and text in the Sisters of Saint Joseph websites.
Josephite Justice Network
Josephite Justice is committed to reverence the human dignity of each person, to respond to the cry of Earth and the cry of children, to live in consciousness of our place in the evolving universe. This calls us to serve the mission of God in the spirit of Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods, especially […]
Groups/Connections
Caught by the Josephite Spirit in Diverse Ways Both our history and our Constitutions urge us to share the gift of the charism with those who walk with us. This gift embraces the many individuals and communities who live the charism in new ways and with intrepid spirit today. We are reminded over and over, […]
Josephite Companions
As Josephite Companions we respond to the call to live the charism of Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods in our daily lives in our own unique way. We support one another by friendship, prayer and service to make a difference in our local area and so further the reign of God.Companions’ Mission Statement Josephite […]