Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Sister and a nun?

In U.S. culture, the words “sister” and “nun” are often used interchangeably. A nun is similar to a male monk who enters a monastery, removing themselves from the world in order to pray. A sister on the other hand is a religious woman who goes into the community to minister to the needs found there.

How do you become a Sister?

For Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, there is a three step process for entering the Congregation. Mutual decision making from the person and Congregation occurs at each step.
First is Candidacy, where one discerns an interest in religious life, meets with a Vocation Director to investigate the call, and is invited to live with the Congregation for a year.
Second, a Candidate may enter the Novitiate (become a Novice). The Novice gives up her worldly possessions and enters into a two-year period of intense religious and spiritual formation.
Third, when a Novice makes first vows, she becomes a newly professed member of the Congregation. These vows are annually renewed for five years before making final vows.

What are vows?

Vows are a promise made to God. Some religious congregations may vary, but most make vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Vows are made publicly before the Major Superior and a minister of the Catholic church at a Vow Ceremony.

What is a vocation?

The word vocation comes from the Latin vocare, which means to call. A vocation is an inner movement from God that may call a person to choose to follow Christ in a particular way.

How does the Congregation support itself?

Many members make up the Congregation. Individual Sisters hand in their salaries, stipends, etc., and in turn receive an amount to live on. The balance takes care of other members of the Congregation who may not be bringing in income, from Novices to retired Sisters and even Leadership of the Congregation.

Why don’t Sisters wear habits anymore?

A habit is the attire of a religious woman that may make a Sister easy to identify. The Vatican II Conference in the 1960s invited Sisters to update themselves and become more relevant in the world. The unifying symbol for Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange is the Congregation’s cross.

What does the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange cross symbolize?

The cross is a key symbol of the Christian faith. The Congregation’s cross is made of wood to identify with St. Joseph, who was a carpenter. The plain cross is an invitation to share in the sufferings as well as the glory of Jesus. It is often worn as a pin or necklace.

What do the initials “CSJ” after a Sister’s name mean?

"CSJ” is an abbreviation for Congregation of St. Joseph. Some Sisters of St. Joseph Congregations around the U.S. and globe use “SSJ” as an abbreviation for “Sisters of St. Joseph.” In the U.S. there are 19 Congregations of St. Joseph that are each singular and unique, though they interact through a Federation of their own creation. Federations of Sisters of St. Joseph also exist in Canada, France and Italy. Members of these numerous Congregations engage in ministry throughout the globe.

What is a Motherhouse?

A Motherhouse is a location for the Sisters to help govern their Congregation. Sisters may live in numerous convents, but there is only one Motherhouse.

What is a Charism?

Charism is a Greek word that means gift or grace (grace is a free gift). Whereas all are invited to follow the Gospel of Jesus, founders of various religious congregations may have been attracted to, or perceived a gift to address a particular part of the Gospel. For Sisters of St. Joseph, Founder Jean Pierre Medaille, SJ discerned a charism of Unity. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange charism is “We Live and Work to Bring People into Union with God and with One Another, through spiritual and corporal works of mercy within the power of the Congregation.”