On September 20, 1966, six separate Canadian congregations of the Sisters of St. Joseph (Hamilton, London, Pembroke, Peterborough, Sault Ste. Marie, and Toronto) established the Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada. This configuration changed in 2012 when four of the six congregations joined to form a new congregation – the Sisters of St. Joseph In Canada. Today, the Federation is comprised of three English-speaking congregations of the Sisters of St. Joseph:  in Canada, Sault Ste. Marie, and Toronto. 

Mission

“United by a common story and charism, we, Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada, form a Federation to empower one another in the passionate living of our charism of active and inclusive love.   Urged by God’s spirit, we collaborate with Sisters of St. Joseph globally and respond to the evolving reality of our world, bringing healing and hope to all creation.”

Purpose

The Federation facilitates and fosters mutual support, cooperation and collaboration among Sisters of St. Joseph and encourages new insights in faith development and social consciousness within a global context. This is accomplished by inspiring and encouraging all members to continue to be visible signs of active and inclusive love towards the dear neighbour and by broadening and strengthening the Sisters’ awareness of being part of a larger whole. Through working committees and ministries (like the Office for Systemic Justice and the Blue Community pledge), Federation members work together through prayer and action.  Globally, the Federation supports the St. Joseph International Centre (in Le Puy-en-Velay, France) as well as our Sister representative at the United Nations.

A description of all of the Federation committees can be found in the section entitled Our Work. Resources, prayers and updates from Committees can be found in the  Resource section.


As a Federation, the members of the three Congregations are able to:

  • Deepen the awareness of a shared identity and mission through prayer and action: Archives Committee, Associates, and the Vocation Committee.

  • Work together on common ministries and areas of concern through the Office for Systemic Justice, the Ecology Committee and the Blue Communities project.

  • Offer mutual support to each other through prayer, activities and gatherings.

  • Support the global Sisters of St. Joseph through our International Centre in Le Puy en Velay, France, the Global Coordinating Committee and through our representative at the United Nations.