Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph
The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph has been a pillar of compassionate care, spiritual leadership, and community transformation in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough since 1890. Rooted in the charism of serving the “dear neighbor” without distinction, the Sisters have spent over 135 years dedicated to healing, teaching, and uplifting vulnerable populations.
On November 22, 2012, the Peterborough congregation officially amalgamated with three other Ontario communities (Hamilton, London, and Pembroke) to form a unified community: the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada. Today, the Sisters continue their mission from their Peterborough site on Monaghan Road, maintaining their deep commitment to spiritual growth and social justice.
Our History & Heritage
The global story of the Sisters of St. Joseph began in Le Puy-en-Velay, France, in 1650, when six ordinary women came together under the guidance of Jesuit Father Jean Pierre Médaille. Rather than remaining cloistered, they went out into the streets to serve the poor and marginalized.
Centuries later, that same missionary spirit reached Ontario:
- The Arrival (1890): Responding to an urgent appeal from Bishop R.A. O’Connor, 20 Sisters from the Toronto congregation stepped forward to establish a new diocesan root in Peterborough to address vast health and educational needs.
- Founding Institutions: Within months of their arrival, they opened St. Joseph’s Hospital in Peterborough (which later merged to become the Peterborough Regional Health Centre), took charge of St. Joseph’s Academy in Lindsay, and established local orphanages.
- Mount St. Joseph: In 1895, they opened their historic Motherhouse, Mount St. Joseph, on Monaghan Road. Serving as a beacon of faith for over a century, the historic property was transitioned in recent years into a community hub dedicated to affordable housing and community services.
- Spreading the Mission: The robust growth of the Peterborough community directly led to the birth of two daughter congregations: the Pembroke congregation in 1921 and the Sault Ste. Marie congregation in 1936.
Core Ministries & Modern Initiatives
True to the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Sisters adapt to the evolving needs of the times. In the Peterborough region, their legacy is actively lived out through:
- Healthcare & Elder Care: The Sisters pioneered senior care through the former Marycrest Home for the Aged, a mission that lives on through St. Joseph at Fleming, a faith-based, compassionate long-term care facility.
- Social Justice & Community Support: The Sisters remain actively involved in community programs, volunteering at local hospices, assisting refugees, and supporting drop-in spaces like the Lighthouse Centre.
- Ecological Stewardship: Recognizing the care of creation as a spiritual imperative, the Peterborough site features a state-of-the-art LEED Gold green building equipped with solar energy systems. The congregation is also recognized globally as a designated Blue Community, actively protecting water as a sacred shared human right.
Contact
- Local Inquiries: For questions regarding ministries, local events, or archives, reach out directly to Mount St. Joseph on Monaghan Road in Peterborough at (705) 745-1307.