There are few women’s monasteries in Toronto, yet one stands out that every resident of this city knows. This article explores the story of the Sisters of St. Joseph, who arrived from France. Read on at torontonka.
How Did the Sisters of St. Joseph Come to Toronto?
In 1851, after visiting Philadelphia, Toronto’s Catholic Bishop Armand de Charbonnel learned about the charitable works done by the Sisters of St. Joseph and the leadership of Mother Delphine, who directed a local shelter. At the bishop’s request, Mother Delphine and three sisters set out from Philadelphia, arriving in Toronto on October 7 and immediately took charge of the local shelter.
Thus, 1851 became a significant year for the city. The sisters—Martha von Banning, Alphonse Margerum, and Bernard Dinan—began their work by aiding poor immigrants, which soon expanded to providing education, social services, and healthcare to Toronto residents.
Beginnings and Challenges (1650–1835)
The Sisters of St. Joseph emerged amid widespread poverty and political turmoil in France during the 17th century. At that time, religious life was largely confined to those who could bring wealth, goods, or land to religious orders. However, in the early 1640s, amid the upheaval of regional wars and suffering, the founders envisioned a different path.
Moved by the hardships of the people, a small group of women gathered in Le Puy, in south-central France. They wanted to live and work among the people, sharing their struggles and hopes. To support their mission, they made lace at night on their humble kitchen table. Guided by Jesuit priest Jean-Pierre Médaille, the first foundation of the Sisters of St. Joseph was established in 1650. Over the next 150 years, the Congregation grew, spreading to neighboring dioceses.
During the French Revolution (1789–1794), monasteries were dissolved, property confiscated, and the sisters dispersed, with many imprisoned and some executed. Thirteen years later, in 1807, the Archbishop of Lyon asked Mother St. John Fontbonne, one of the imprisoned sisters, to gather the former sisters in his diocese. Under her leadership, the Congregation was reestablished and continued to grow across France, eventually reaching Europe and North America.
The Sisters of St. Joseph in Toronto: Celebrating the 170th Anniversary
In 2021, the Sisters of St. Joseph celebrated their 170th anniversary in Toronto. Volunteers, staff, and community members came together for the occasion. Despite COVID-19, a commemorative prayer was composed by Sister Mary Anne McCarthy to honor Mother Delphine and her young community of sisters. This prayer, read at each gathering, acknowledges Mother Delphine’s sacrifice during the plague in Toronto, where she devoted herself to caring for the sick and ultimately died as a “martyr of mercy.” Sister Mary Anne McCarthy remarked:
“During the COVID-19 crisis in our time, we follow your example of prudence and wisdom, keeping our suffering world in prayer.”
The sisters continue their mission, promoting healing with Jesus, showing God’s compassionate face to those in need, and celebrating God’s goodness.
The Ministry of Social Justice created a special land acknowledgment that was read at all events. COVID-19 posed challenges to the anniversary celebration, prompting the sisters to shift many events online. One notable event, a public lecture by Maude Barlow on water justice at St. Michael’s College, was canceled due to pandemic restrictions but was rescheduled for later in 2022. Thanks to Salt + Light Media, the final Eucharistic Celebration at St. Paul’s Basilica on October 10, 2021, was live-streamed, allowing many to participate remotely. Social media and technology became essential to this anniversary.
Anniversary Events and Community Engagement
In November 2020, the Sisters hosted Charism Alive: CSJ Mission and Values, a presentation for staff and volunteers involved with the Toronto Congregation and the Fontbonne ministries. This presentation highlighted the history of the sisters and illustrated how their mission continues to shape their work today. The event was led by Beth Johnson, President and CEO of Catholic Health Sponsors of Ontario (CHSO) and a former executive director of Mission Integration at Unity Health.
In March 2021, Sisters Betty Lou Knox, Janet Speth, and Mary Mettler created the Novena of Creation, a nine-day series dedicated to daily reflections on honoring creation. The series concluded on St. Joseph’s feast day. Originally, they hoped to organize a walking tour of St. Michael’s Cemetery, a historical site connecting them with the Congregation’s early history in Toronto. Due to pandemic restrictions, this idea was adapted into a video presentation titled “Exploring Heritage and History at St. Michael’s Cemetery,” which was sent to the community on October 7, 2021, and remains available on the Congregation’s website.
In 2020, the leadership team invited scholars and authors to explore topics related to the Sisters of St. Joseph, selecting experts in various fields. Their work culminated in a volume titled 170 Years of Service—a collection of essays on the Sisters’ history and mission, which has been available since 2022.
The final Eucharistic Celebration took place at St. Paul’s Basilica on October 10, 2021, attended by a small group of sisters and guests, while many others joined remotely. Sister Georgette’s remarks emphasized the pressing needs of today’s world:
“We pray in gratitude for all that has been accomplished and look to the future with hope, that together with many of you present today, we can continue to meet the needs around us.”
Sister Georgette highlighted pressing needs such as greater compassion for the homeless, addressing systemic inequalities, caring for the environment, advocating for clean drinking water as a human right, and fostering reconciliation with Indigenous communities. She emphasized:
“We must believe that God will give us the wisdom, creativity, and willingness to continue the mission to which we have been called for 170 years.”