Sister Sheila center with two friends; Sister Peg Boyle left and Sister Eileen Cooke right
Musings by Sister Sheila
375th Anniversary of Sisters of Saint Joseph
July 18 – 20, 2025
For months, I was anticipating my trip to Kansas City, Kansas, to celebrate the 375th Anniversary of our founding in 1650. The Sisters of Saint Joseph began in a tiny, obscure town in central France. There, six women with the guidance of a French Jesuit priest, began what some saw as a new and revolutionary form of religious life. Up until that time, if a woman wanted to be a sister, she had to go into a cloister and live a life far from ordinary people and their families. But Reverend Jean Pierre Medaille, a Jesuit priest, listened to what these women desired and helped them to follow their dream. The six women were of varied backgrounds. Two of them had been married; Francoise Eyraud, Clauda Chastel, Marguerite Burdier, Anna Chaleyer, Anna Vey, and Anna Brun They had no religious habits, wearing only what the widows of the day wore—a plain, black dress. From that humble beginning in 1650, we now number 2931 sisters, 2922 associates, and 60 agreges in 16 Congregations throughout the United States. Worldwide, we have approximately 9500 sisters. Agreges are women who commit themselves to active and inclusive love of God and the dear neighbor as expressed in the spirit and spirituality of the charism and mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. They take up their rights and responsibilities of membership in the community through a non- canonical vow of fidelity.
This year, 2025, we are celebrating our 375th Anniversary all year long. The Federation Event took place in Kansas City, Kansas, from July 18-20. My journey to Kansas City began with two women who have been part of my life since high school: Sister Peg Boyle and Sister Eileen Cooke. We graduated from Cardinal Dougherty High School in June 1961—just a few years ago, and we entered the convent in September 1961. So being able to celebrate with them for our 375th was a remarkable event! But on July 17, our plans almost changed drastically because our 8:15 AM reserved UBER never arrived! Finally, at 9:00 AM, another driver came to our rescue! Then we sped through Philly streets that were piled high with trash. The sanitation workers’ strike was still on! Fortunately, our driver was very adept at speeding through small, trash-lined streets. He was not quite as adept speaking English, though! So I had to speak into his phone which would then translate my English to his Spanish. BUT we did get to the airport! When our driver let us out at the airport, he was at the wrong terminal! More English to Spanish moments! Finally, we arrived at the correct gate with only 20 minutes to spare! By comparison, our flight to Kansas City was totally relaxing! At that airport, we were delighted to see so many Sisters and Associates! We got to the hotel with no incident. And, thankfully, our driver spoke English!
Every two to five years, the Sisters of Saint Joseph and their partners in this mission gather for a celebration, a conference, and a get-together, to socialize, to network, to worship, and to strategize. This year, in Kansas City, Kansas, we enjoyed celebrating the 375th Anniversary of The Federation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the United States whose order originated in Le Puy, France where a statue of the Virgin Mary, dedicated in 1860, overlooks this picturesque city. It was my pleasure to attend in person! Technology, via Zoom. was available for sisters who could not attend in person. No matter what the format, all attendees were enriched by this amazing event!
