OUR FOUNDER:
Our founder Jean-Pierre Medaille (1610-1669),
was born in Carcassonne in the south-west of France. He grew up in a
secure and faith-filled environment with his two brothers. His father
was advocate for King Louis XIII. All three brothers attended the Jesuit
College in their home town. In 1626 Jean-Pierre entered the Jesuit Novitiate
and made his first profession of vows two years later. The Archives
state that his "intellectual qualities are excellent, remarkable,
penetrating, even sublime." In 1637 he was ordained a Priest and
held various responsible posts in Jesuit Colleges as well as serving
as Spiritual Director and Confessor to parishioners.
He guided Francoise Eyraud and her five companions
towards a profound spiritual life and formed them into an association
called the Little Design. In 1650 in Le Puy this association
was named The Sisters of St Joseph. They worked for the poor
the sick the orphaned and any "dear neighbour" in need. Their
cloister was their hearts, they were contemplatives in action, doing
any work of which women were capable.
For many years Father Medaille travelled throughout the South
of France conducting Parish missions. Between 1662-1669 he wrote the
Constitutions or Rule of Life for the Sisters. Ill health caused
him to retire in 1669 and he died on 30th December of that year.
