Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny

Anne Marie Javouhey, the founder of the religious institute, was born in a remote village in Burgundy, France, on November 10, 1779 and died on the July 15, 1851.

Anne Marie was encouraged in this endeavor by Pope Pius VII during a meeting in 1805, in the town of Chalon-sur-Saône, France.

Two years later, on 12 May 1807, Bishop Imberties of Autun officially bestowed religious habits upon Anne Marie and eight other women, including three of her sisters.

As the numbers continued to grow, the Sisters found themselves traveling farther afield, especially to those areas colonized by the French.

She recognized this request as a sign, and saw an opportunity to fulfill the service and aid goals that she felt were her purpose in this life.

Two years later, the Sisters arrived in Saint-Louis, Senegal, then in 1822 the French West Indies, and in 1826 Saint Pierre and Miquelon.

In 1836 the blue-robed Sisters were welcomed to the British West Indies, and some time later they established houses in Tahiti.

At the death of their Foundress on 15 July 1851, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny numbered about 1,000 and houses were located on five continents around the world.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny arrived in India in the year 1827, and established their first house in Puducherry under the administration of Bishop Hébert.