
Our History
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto (CSJ) were founded around 1650 in Le Puy-en-Velay, France, by six women and a Jesuit priest, Jean-Pierre Médaille. All the works of mercy were to be done on behalf of the dear neighbour.
From the beginning, our religious life included service to and with people who were sick, poor and vulnerable.
Following the end of the French Revolution in 1807, Mother St. John Fontbonne responded to the call to establish a new religious community in the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph. By addressing the great social needs of the day, our congregation flourished from its central administration in Lyon. In 1836, six Sisters travelled from France to St. Louis, Missouri to teach poor and deaf children.

On October 7, 1851, these four Sisters arrived in Toronto to care for orphans, the sick and poor of the city. From this beginning, we went on to establish ministries in education, social services, and health care. Over the years, we have continued to set up facilities to meet newly recognized needs.
Today, our ministries have evolved from larger institutions to forms of ministry that relate more closely to the “dear neighbour.”
2022
Fontbonne Ministries Transferred to CHSO
On February 3, the Sisters transfer sponsorship of Fontbonne Ministries to Catholic Health Sponsors of Ontario.
2022
2021
170th Anniversary
Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto celebrate their 170th anniversary as the first Canadian foundation of Sisters of St. Joseph.
2017
Blue Community

2017
2015
CSJ Project Hope
2015
Collaborative Network to End Exploitation

2015
2013
2 O’Connor Drive Residence, Toronto

2012
Social Justice Office

2012
2010
The Sisters of St. Joseph in Ministry, 2010
The Sisters of St. Joseph came to Toronto in 1851, to help those in need: people who were sick, poor, at-risk and vulnerable. Their ministries are carried out today, in rich and varied ways. This video is a sampling and a celebration of just some of their accomplishments and their spirit, as Sisters continue their good works into the 21st century and beyond.
© 2010 Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto
2007
Ministry with Maturing Adults

2007
2003
Joint Apostolic Ministry

2005
Faith Connections

2005
2002
Pope John Paul II Visit to Toronto

1998
The Furniture Bank, Toronto

1998
2000
Fontbonne Ministries

1997
Women's Drop In

1997
1986
St. Joseph's Centre, Morrow Park

1985
Nazareth House

1985
1989
Herron Place Refugee Centre

1982
CSJ Associates Program

1982
1980
St. Joseph's Health Centre, Toronto

1979
Via Veritas Vita

1979
1978
Matt Talbot House

1976
New Beginnings

1976
1982
Daily Bread Food Bank

1974
St. Michael's Homes

1974
1970
Parish Life

1968
Missions Near and Far

1968
1962
St. Joseph's Catholic High School, Oshawa, Ontario

1960
St. Joseph's Morrow Park High School

1960
1949
St. Joseph's High School, Islington, Ontario

1925
Our Lady of Mercy Hospital

1925
1923
St. Joseph's Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba

1961
St. Joseph's College School

1961
1921
St. Joseph's Hospital

1913
St. Joseph's General Hospital, Comox

1913
1911
St. Joseph's College, Toronto

1916
Western Teaching Missions

1916
1892
St. Michael's Hospital

1863
St. Joseph’s Motherhouse, 89 Wellesley Street West, Toronto

1863
1857
House of Providence

1852
Education Beginnings

1852
1854
First Motherhouse and St. Joseph’s Academy, Toronto

1852
Hamilton Mission
Six months after their arrival to Toronto, Mother Martha von Bunning and two novices, established St. Mary’s Convent and Orphanage in Hamilton, their first mission outside of the city. Other Sisters of St. Joseph Congregations were founded from Toronto missions, first in Hamilton (1852), London (1868) and then Port Arthur (1881). Learn More
1852
1850
Bishop de Charbonnel
While visiting Philadelphia in 1851, Toronto Catholic Bishop Armand de Charbonnel learned of the good works carried out by the Sisters of St. Joseph and Mother Delphine's role as superior of the orphanage while visiting Philadelphia in 1851. With connections to Lyon and the Fonbonne family, de Charbonnel asked that Mother Delphine be transferred to Toronto and establish a mission in Canada. The Superiors in St. Louis agreed to this request. Learn More
1847
Toronto's Famine Irish

1847
1836
Arrival in North America

1807
Lyon, France

1807
1789
French Revolution

1650
Foundation
Tradition gives October 15, 1650, as the date on which Bishop de Maupas gave the congregation its official existence and the name of St. Joseph. During the next 150 years, the congregation grew and spread throughout the neighbouring dioceses.
1650
1851
Arrival in Toronto
On October 7, 1851, Mother Delphine Fontbonne and three other Sisters arrived in Toronto. They took charge of an already established orphanage on Nelson Street (Lower Jarvis) and cared for the orphans, the sick, the poor and vulnerable. Learn More