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

meet SSJ Associate Edith Benson

| November 27, 2019

Edith Benson, one of six children in her family, was born in Columbia, SC, and lived in Augusta, GA, and the Bronx, NY. During her younger years, she had aspirations to become a medical doctor and help others. Her career plans changed, however, when she was inspired by the work of the late U.S. Supreme…

SSJ Named Outstanding Philanthropic Organization

| November 27, 2019

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania were recognized as the 2019 Outstanding Philanthropic Organization at the recent National Philanthropy Day event hosted by the Northwest Pennsylvania Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. More than 150 people attended the annual event which honors outstanding philanthropists who make an impact in the communities of…

a new mural in the neighborhood

| November 27, 2019

The Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network’s (SSJNN) mission is to revitalize the neighborhoods it serves and to empower the people who live there. The SSJNN also works to bring beauty to the neighborhoods through parks, landscaping, and art. Through the years, the SSJNN has funded the creation of 16 murals. Recently, the addition of…

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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