ABOUT US

Religious Life

Reflections|Writings

The Sisters of St Joseph of Lochinvar are Australian catholic women. We freely choose to follow Jesus, to vow chastity, poverty and obedience and to live within the congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph in the spirit of the founders according to the constitutions of the Australian-New Zealand Federation of Sisters of St Joseph. 

The Vatican Decree on the adaptation and renewal of religious life, Perfectae Caritatis, called upon religious all over the world to review their way of life, their customs, rules and religious practices and to update them to meet the needs of the times in the spirit of their founders. Our reviewed constitutions invite us to understand and commit ourselves to this way of life:

As women religious we take a prophetic stance.
We support all that promotes the gospel
And oppose all that negates it.
United by the Spirit of love
And strengthened by the example of one another,
We embrace our mission of service.
We strive to be open and sensitive
To people and their cultural contexts.
We incarnate God’s love and faithfulness in our times
And point to the life that is to come,
By giving witness to the reality
That Christ our hope is among us.
(Constitutions p.2)

Do these insights clarify or resonate with your knowledge or experience of Josephite religious and their way of life?

If before the Second Vatican Council, Religious communities were recognized by their common attire, ministries and places of living and these things have changed considerably today, what are the common elements of religious life in the twenty first century?

You might like to join a forum, which discusses these issues.

Contemporary writers Sandra M Schneiders, Joan Chittister and Catherine M Harmer offer further insights into what it means to be a religious in the 21st century. Reflect on their writings.

You may be interested to find out about other religious in Australia. Explore the Directory of religious orders in Australia.


If you feel that you are being called to Religious life, you might like to contact the vocations director for further information or check out OZ Vocations - Vocational Choices for Catholics.