Sisters of St. Joseph Celebrate 165 Years of Ministry in the Diocese of Erie
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania are kicking off a celebration of the congregation’s 165th anniversary of ministry in the Erie Diocese this coming weekend, May 24-25. Mother Agnes Spencer, SSJ, the congregation’s foundress and first superior, along with three other Sisters, first arrived in the Erie Diocese on May 24, 1860, in Corsica, PA. Since then, the Sisters have continuously served in the 13 counties of the Diocese and numerous global missions.
The anniversary theme, “We Are One,” signifies the fundamental mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph: unity among neighbors and with God. The theme also highlights the connection to Sisters of St. Joseph worldwide who are celebrating the 375th anniversary of the congregation’s founding in France.
Commemorations planned for the milestone anniversary include prayer and wreath-laying services at Trinity and Calvary cemeteries in Erie, where Mother Agnes and 511 deceased Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania are buried, and a liturgy with Bishop Persico presiding, followed by an invitation-only reception.
The U.S. Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph will commemorate the anniversary of the French foundation during a gathering in Kansas City, MO, in July. The event will be livestreamed to “watch parties” at congregational centers throughout the United States for members who cannot attend in person.
An exhibit at the Hagen History Center in Erie featuring the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania will open in September 2025. The exhibit will run for a few months and be open to the public.
It was at the invitation of Bishop Joshua Young that Mother Agnes Spencer came to the Erie Diocese and assumed the direction of St. Ann’s Academy for Girls at Corsica. Within twenty years, more than two thousand children were being educated by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Next, the care of orphans and the sick was undertaken, first in Meadville and then in Erie. The Sisters founded Spencer Hospital in Meadville, Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie, Saint Vincent School of Nursing, Saint Mary’s Home of Erie, Villa Maria Academy, Elementary School, and College, among numerous other ministries. The Sisters also staffed schools throughout the Diocese in addition to St. Joseph Orphanage and Harborcreek Home for Boys.
You can view highlights of the Sisters’ history at www.ssjerie.org, where you will find a timeline as well as a link to a digitized copy of “Come to the Waters,” a history of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania written by Sisters Leonie Shanley and Mary Francis Becker for the congregation’s 150th anniversary in 2010.
During this year’s celebrations, the Sisters look forward to renewing their commitment to the SSJ Neighborhood Network, St. Patrick’s and St. James Havens, social justice advocacy, spiritual growth and development, and ministries of presence. They also look forward to reconnecting with those they have ministered with throughout the years. In addition to the congregation’s history, you can submit prayer requests at www.ssjerie.org, find and contact a Sister, and share memories and stories about the Sisters. You are also invited to connect with the Sisters on Facebook.
