Our History
SISTERS OF SAINT JOSEPH
Brentwood, NY - Uniting all in God's love
For more than 169 years the Sisters of Saint Joseph have served the people of Long Island. When there was a need evident, sisters went to Appalachia, the Dominican Republic, Brazil and to other parts of the United States.
In response to the request of Bishop Willinger of Ponce, Puerto Rico, on July 31, 1930 four sisters were sent to found a mission in San Germán. Then, the sisters spread across the island staffing parishes and schools and teaching in the Catholic University. Within a few years, missions were established at San Luis in Lajas and San Jorge in Santurce. This initiative grew and at its highest point, sisters taught in the Catholic University in Ponce, at Academia María Reina founded as a secondary school for girls.* At their peak presence, there were almost 100 sisters ministering in Puerto Rico.
Presently, there are still sisters living and teaching on the island. As a Congregation, the Sisters of St. Joseph seek to make all our ministries reflections of our charism and mission.
THE EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE FOCUS.
Sisters of St. Joseph are educators from elementary to the university level, social workers, health care professionals, lawyers, parish ministers, administrators and spiritual directors. (LEARN MORE)
*IT ALL STARTED
WITH A WOMAN'S
VISION
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, NY congregation, operated the parochial elementary, coed school, Academia San Ignacio (ASI), during the 1960s. Upon eighth-grade graduation, the boys from ASI applied to various boys-only schools, including nearby Colegio San Ignacio (CSI). Still, female graduates did not have a nearby Catholic high school where they could continue their studies. Sister Thérèse Marie, a forward thinker, envisioned an all-girl high school.