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 Ministry
Ministry for Social Justice, Peace, and Creation Care is supported with an office which identifies key concerns and seeks opportunities for collaboration in a faith-based way that includes education, advocacy, prayer and action.
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
2007
2005
Faith Connections
2003
Joint Apostolic Ministry
2003
2002
Pope John Paul II Visit to Toronto
2000
Fontbonne Ministries
2000
1998
The Furniture Bank, Toronto
1997
Women's Drop In
1997
1989
Herron Place Refugee Centre
1986
St. Joseph's Centre, Morrow Park
1986
1985
Nazareth House
1982
Daily Bread Food Bank
1982
1982
CSJ Associates Program
1980
St. Joseph's Health Centre, Toronto
1980
1979
Via Veritas Vita
1978
Matt Talbot House
1978
1976
New Beginnings
1974
St. Michael's Homes
1974
1970
Parish Life
1968
Missions Near and Far
1968
1962
St. Joseph's Catholic High School, Oshawa, Ontario
1961
St. Joseph's College School
1961
1960
St. Joseph's Morrow Park High School
1949
St. Joseph's High School, Islington, Ontario
1949
1925
Our Lady of Mercy Hospital
1923
St. Joseph's Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba
1923
1921
St. Joseph's Hospital
1913
St. Joseph's General Hospital, Comox
1913
1916
Western Teaching Missions
1911
St. Joseph's College, Toronto
1911
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
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
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
1850
1847
Toronto's Famine Irish
1836
Arrival in North America
1836
1807
Lyon, France
1789
French Revolution
1789
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.