WELCOME

SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH

of Northwestern Pennsylvania

Come to the Waters, is a history of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania written by Leonie Shanley, SSJ, and Mary Francis Becker, SSJ, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Sisters of St. Joseph in the Diocese of Erie in 2010. Click here to explore the book.

News

Erie’s Sisters of St. Joseph join with other Catholic Sisters in Support of Resolution on Racism

| September 17, 2020

In a joint statement, Erie’s Catholic Sisters expressed support for Erie County Council’s resolution, which declares racism a public health crisis. The resolution also states council’s intent to address the health, education, housing, and economic disparities that exist in Erie County. Members of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas,…

Cyber Circles: Circle of Friends 2020 Style

| September 3, 2020

Our annual Circle of Friends event has always been about “connection” – gathering with friends and neighbors, celebrating Mass together, sharing a meal, and reconnecting. But how do you hold a 400-person Mass and picnic while physical distancing? You use technology, of course. And that’s just what we plan to do. During these unusual times,…

Your Vote, Your Voice

| September 3, 2020

On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment allowing women to vote passed. One hundred years later, our country is heading into an election during the midst of a pandemic. If you opt to vote by mail in Erie, PA, here is some helpful information. If you are voting in another municipality, check with your county…

Maxims — A Modern Take

More than 360 years ago, Father Jean Pierre Médaille, SJ, composed the Maxims of the Little Institute, 100 short sayings to help the first Sisters of St. Joseph grow in virtue. We share them here, along with contemporary translations developed by Susan Wilcox, CSJ, Brentwood, and a group of her students.

MAXIM 12

ORIGINAL

Choose to bear all the evils of time rather than the least of eternity, all the evils of nature rather than the least deprivation of grace, since all kinds of reasons illumined by faith teach you to live according to this truth.

Original Maxim 12
as written by Fr. Médaille

MAXIM 26

ORIGINAL

Seek in everything God's contentment and not anything else, and the better to practice this, remember in the entire living out of your life, in desolation, in sick¬ness, etc., to desire God's greater contentment without giving a thought to your own interests.

Original Maxim 26
as written by Fr. Médaille

MAXIM 54

ORIGINAL

Empty yourself of all human respect and of the least blameworthy concession, and declare, with a generous heart, never to yield in anything that would be against God's will.

Original Maxim 6
as written by Fr. Médaille

MAXIM 81

ORIGINAL

Whatever the virtue you recognize in yourself, never turn away from a true fear of God, conscious that his judgments are unfathomable and that his appraisals are quite different from ours.

Original Maxim 81
as written by Fr. Médaille

Read all Maxims

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