ST. JOSEPH OF THE APPARITION, CONGREGATION OF THE SISTERS OF

(SJA) 1855

This Congregation was founded in the south of France in 1832 by (St) Emilie de Vialar, inspired by her contemplation of the mystery of the Incarnation, from which the title derives (cf Matt 1:18-23).

It is an international missionary Institute of Pontifical right in the Church, open to every form of apostolate which charity inspires. The sisters commit themselves by vow to follow Christ poor, obedient and chaste, by means of contemplation in action.

While on a trip to Europe in 1854, the Bishop of Perth, Mgr. Serra OSB approached Mother Emilie in Marseilles to ask for sisters to establish a school in Fremantle, where young ladies could receive intermediate and higher education.

In January 1855 four young sisters began the arduous and dangerous voyage on the "Amherst" arriving in the Swan River Colony almost five months later on 24^th May. Within five weeks they had opened a school for girls of wealthier families while taking on the management of a free school for poorer children. Over many years this remained the pattern, receiving primary pupils of all denominations whose education was made possible by means of the fees paid by the wealthy families who wished to have their daughters well educated.

Adequate accommodation and remuneration had been promised to the sisters but this promise was not honoured and at first the sisters lived and taught in extreme poverty on the seashore in a damp hovel that was swamped by the ocean with every storm. Added to this hardship was the extreme isolation and the language difficulty as the four sisters were French. After three years they rented other cramped quarters but after a further five years, growing pupil numbers obliged them to consider building premises of their own. In order to do this they had to beg from door to door, but did not succeed in raising sufficient funds to buy land, so the building was erected on church property.

By 1870 the sisters operated three schools - a girls’ primary school (free) with mostly Catholics; an infants school for boys and girls under seven; and a ladies college for boarders and day pupils.

Education was the primary focus of their endeavours for over 100 years. In country areas during term holidays the sisters conducted ‘bushy schools’ at which children from outlying districts were prepared for the Sacraments. Visitation of families was always a top priority with the sisters, as well as visiting the sick in hospital and home, and providing help for the poor and needy. Women prisoners were visited regularly and in country areas sisters visited the Aboriginal reserves.

The current interpretation of the charism is "To be at the heart of the world today, ‘a living Memorial’ to the Love of God who became Incarnate. The motto of the Congregation is: Se Devouer et Mourir - Devotedness unto death.

Cavasino, Agnes

Emilie de Vialas; foundress, Sisters of St. Joseph of Apparition - a Missionary congregation.

translated from French by Sr. Zoe Milne.

Perth. W.A. Carnival Print 1997 312p.

If further information is required about individual Sisters the following address is given:

The Archivist

Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition

48 Bradshaw Crescent

MANNING W.A. 6152

In writing to the Archivist, it would be appropriate that a financial contribution be made for the Archivist’s time and expertise.

Religious Orders or Congregations have released the details on their members. It is understood that the copyright of any material (including the listing of the names of the Sisters) relevant to a particular Order or Congregation in this publication remains with the relevant Order or Congregation.