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The "Little Design" (as the founder, Jean-Pierre Médaille, s.j. called the project for the first sisters of St.Joseph) is like a "seed" - tiny in itself yet containing the potential to develop into a great and strong plant. The strength of this "seed" is:
Unity with God with those who share our life
with all our sisters and brothers. |
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Service to all persons, especially those
in greatest need. |
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Unity and service are essential elements of our spirituality which is based on contemplation in action. The Sisters of St.Joseph are called to live deep union with God in service of the neighbor, in order to create bonds of oneness both with God and within the society. The unity finds its inspiration in Jesus' prayer at the Last Supper: "...that they may all be one; even as thou Father are in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, ..so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me." (John: 21,23)
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Eucharist
From the beginning, the Eucharist was offered as a model and source of life for Sisters of St.Joseph. The Eucharist is the sacramental realization of our union with God and humanity. Furthermore it keeps before our eyes the mystery of the incarnation which we are called to continue: Jesus totally consecrated to praising God and totally given to others. |
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The Holy Family
Father Médaille also chose the Trinity and the Holy Family as paradigms for the congregation since both are exemplars of caring relationships which engender life. In imitation of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we strive to incarnate humility, simplicity and cordial charity in all our actions.
Given the accent on contemplation in action, for the Sisters of St.Joseph, prayer is not an end in itself but a means of transforming our lives that they may become ever more alive and more visibly communicate the life of God. Thus our prayer sends us out to witness the Good News of Jesus Christ to others. And our apostolic presence leads us to God.
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