Our Spirituality

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange are called to identify with the self-emptying love and obedience of Jesus Christ. It is in being drawn into the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection that we die to self and live in God and for others.

We are also called to develop a deep relationship with the Persons of the Trinity and with Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

We honor God the Father by desiring always to respond to the Divine gift of life; the Son by seeking to imitate his humility and self-surrender; the Holy Spirit by desiring to realize and express God’s love in our lives.

As far as possible, we imitate Jesus in his untiring zeal to bring about the kingdom of God; Mary in her constant fidelity to the Holy Spirit; and Joseph in his generous and unpretentious service.

Mother Bernard Gosselin, our founder, upheld the congregation’s foundational heritage of profound humility and cordial charity in all relationships. To this heritage she contributed a pioneer spirit of bold faith, foresight and flexibility as gifts for the mission of Christ.

The spirit and spirituality of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange informs the Congregation of its mission and ministry.

The life and works of our Congregation are directed to a single end: The union of ourselves and all people with God and with one another in and through Christ Jesus. This purpose requires of us docility to the Spirit, profound humility, and zeal which is characterized by gentleness, joy and peace.

Our mission as Sisters of St. Joseph flows through the purpose for which the Congregation exists: We live and work that all people may be united with God and with one another. It is rooted in the mission of Christ, the same mission which continually unfolds in the Church, “that all me be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you. I pray that they may be one is us…” (John 17:21).

To bring about this unity, we search out and undertake any spiritual and corporal work of mercy that may be within the power of the Congregation. We encourage and assist those who desire to follow Christ more closely, and we work to alleviate the conditions which cause ignorance, poverty, suffering and oppression. We are identified in ministry by our compassionate presence to critical needs for unity and reconciliation among the persons with whom we live and work.

It is the totality of our life that we witness to God’s unconditional love and fidelity. What we do in ministry is shaped by what we experience in intimacy with the Lord and in community. Our work is not separate from our life with God and our life together.