
Our History
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.”
2021
170th Anniversary

2021
2017
Blue Community

2015
CSJ Project Hope
2015
2015
Collaborative Network to End Exploitation

2013
2 O’Connor Drive Residence, Toronto

2013
2012
Social Justice Office

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
2010
2007
Ministry with Maturing Adults

2005
Faith Connections

2005
2003
Joint Apostolic Ministry

2002
Pope John Paul II Visit to Toronto

2002
2000
Fontbonne Ministries

1998
The Furniture Bank, Toronto

1998
1997
Women's Drop In

1989
Herron Place Refugee Centre

1989
1986
St. Joseph's Centre, Morrow Park

1985
Nazareth House

1985
1982
Daily Bread Food Bank

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
1974
St. Michael's Homes

1970
Parish Life

1970
1968
Missions Near and Far

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

1962
1961
St. Joseph's College School

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

1921
St. Joseph's Hospital

1921
1916
Western Teaching Missions

1913
St. Joseph's General Hospital, Comox

1913
1911
St. Joseph's College, Toronto

1900
Catholic Schools

1900
1892
St. Michael's Hospital

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

1863
1857
House of Providence

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

1854
1852
Education Beginnings

1852
Hamilton Mission

1852
1851
Arrival in Toronto

1850
Bishop de Charbonnel

1850
1847
Toronto's Famine Irish

1836
Arrival in North America

1836
1807
Lyon, France

1789
French Revolution

1789
1650
Early French Roots
