WELCOME
SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH
of Northwestern Pennsylvania
Come to the Waters, is a history of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania written by Leonie Shanley, SSJ, and Mary Francis Becker, SSJ, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Sisters of St. Joseph in the Diocese of Erie in 2010. Click here to explore the book.
Sisters of St. Joseph Commemorate 10th Anniversary of Agrégée Vocation
In 2016, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania accepted nine women as the first Agrégée (ah-greh-ZHEY) members of the congregation. Agrégées are Catholic women called to permanently commit themselves to growing in a closer union with God through Jesus Christ by embracing the Sisters’ mission of unity and by closely connecting with the…
We remember . . . Sally Villa, SSJ
Sister Sally (Sarah) A. Villa, SSJ, age 81, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on November 17, 2025, in the 38th year of her religious life. She was born in Rochester, New York, on July 19, 1944, the daughter of the late Donald A. and Marion Kraft Gillette. She graduated from…
U.S. Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph National Event
Hundreds of Sisters, Agrégées, Associates and Partners in Mission gathered in Kansas City, MO in July for the U.S. Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph Event which takes place every 5 years. This year’s gathering coincides with the 375th anniversary of the founding of the Sisters of St. Joseph in LePuy, France. The anniversary lent…
Maxims — A Modern Take
More than 360 years ago, Father Jean Pierre Médaille, SJ, composed the Maxims of the Little Institute, 100 short sayings to help the first Sisters of St. Joseph grow in virtue. We share them here, along with contemporary translations developed by Susan Wilcox, CSJ, Brentwood, and a group of her students.
MAXIM 12
ORIGINAL
Choose to bear all the evils of time rather than the least of eternity, all the evils of nature rather than the least deprivation of grace, since all kinds of reasons illumined by faith teach you to live according to this truth.
Original Maxim 12
as written by Fr. Médaille
MAXIM 26
ORIGINAL
Seek in everything God's contentment and not anything else, and the better to practice this, remember in the entire living out of your life, in desolation, in sick¬ness, etc., to desire God's greater contentment without giving a thought to your own interests.
Original Maxim 26
as written by Fr. Médaille
MAXIM 54
ORIGINAL
Empty yourself of all human respect and of the least blameworthy concession, and declare, with a generous heart, never to yield in anything that would be against God's will.
Original Maxim 6
as written by Fr. Médaille
MAXIM 81
ORIGINAL
Original Maxim 81
as written by Fr. Médaille
Read all Maxims
