Our story begins, very simply, on October 15th 1650, in the small French town of Le Puy. A French Jesuit priest, Jean-Pierre Médaille, while carrying out his missionary work, had met numerous young women who wanted to become Religious Sisters. These women for the most part, could neither read nor write and had no income. Given the social conditions of the time, Religious Life seemed to be impossible for them.

In the country districts there was a great need for caring people who would look after the poor.

Fr Médaille began, in a simple and hidden way, a new form of Religious Life which would provide a valuable service to the poor and most neglected. The Sisters of this new Congregation would not be enclosed, as was the custom, but would work actively, out among the people.

Now, some 350 years later, there are about 19,000 Sisters of St Joseph, living and working in almost every corner of the world.