Atlanta Catholic Centennial

The Sisters of St. Joseph in Georgia became affiliated with the oldest foundation of the order in the United States in 1922. This affiliation was approved by Pope Benedict XV, February 13, 1922. The order is now known as the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The first Foundation was established at Carondelet, Mo., in 1836, and the Centennial of this foundation was celebrated March 25, 1936.

Origin of order

The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph was canonically established at Le Puy, France, on October 15, 1650, by Rt. Rev. Henri de Maupas, Bishop of Le Puy. The Order was founded some time before this by Rev. Jean-Paul Medaille. Father Medaille brought to the attention of Bishop Maupas the Congregation he had founded and its objects.

For about one hundred and fifty years the Order went through periods of progress and periods of persecution, but as the years passed they grew in members and grew in good works accomplished. Then, almost overnight, you might say, the terrible French Revolution, which failed to distinguish between the good or the evil, swept away their all. In 1793 the convents and chapels of the Sisters were confiscated (a nice word for stealing). The Sisters were driven out, some were officially murdered, martyrs for Christ. Many were placed in jails and dungeons. Among the latter was Mother St. John Fontbonne.

In 1807, through the assistance of Rev. Claude Cholleton, Vicar-General of Lyons, Mother St. John, who escaped death in the Revolution, re-established the Order, which has continued to grow to the present day.