As a point of history, the dress worn by the original six women in France was simple in style and was not a religious habit. Instead, they adopted the clothes worn by widows in their locality, which varied from town to country and from one region to another. Repeated wars meant that the widow’s habit…

To assist SSJ congregations in ensuring that they were living in accordance with the intent of Fr. Medaille and the first six women, the U.S. Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph organized a research team in 1969 to return to France and study the Congregation’s primitive documents. Sisters Leonie Shanley and Phyllis DiFuccia, of Erie,…

At the same time as Vatican II began its monumental changes, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania had the highest number of vowed Sisters at any point in its history.

Following Vatican II, Sisters were permitted to suggest ministries in response to needs they saw or to which they felt personally called. This led to an expansion of ministries, including Diocesan administration, pastoral ministry, religious education, social outreach programs, care for high-risk babies, and shelter for homeless men.

In 1962, during Mother Aurelia’s term, the Second Vatican Council opened. This was a pivotal time in the Church’s history with monumental implications for religious congregations.  Vatican II called for a renewal of religious life that included a return to the Gospel, a return to the original inspiration of congregations’ founders, and greater awareness of…

Villa Maria College moves to its new location in Millcreek.

The Sisters opened the new location of Villa Maria Academy for Girls on West 8th Street in Millcreek Township.  The new schools would accommodate 600-700 students.

The Sisters established the first collegiate School of Nursing in northwestern Pennsylvania at Villa Maria College.

During this time, new Diocesan schools and catechetical centers were opened that required staffing by Sisters, and the need for social services programs was recognized. The Sisters of St. Joseph helped establish the Diocesan Office of Catholic Social Services, an accredited social service agency licensed by the PA Dept. of Welfare. The Sisters of St.…