Our Josephite Charism
The Josephite charism permeates throughout all aspects of school life at St Joseph's. Students are guided to follow the vision and inspiration of our Patron Saints, St Joseph, and co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
St Joseph’s School is under the patronage of St Joseph and St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, the co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph.
In 1866 Mary MacKillop founded the Congregation to meet the needs of educating the children of Australia, particularly those who, for reasons of distance, economic or social circumstances, would have otherwise been denied an education. Education for Mary MacKillop included education in faith and the integration of faith in daily living. She chose as a patron for her Congregation and for each of her schools, St Joseph. St Joseph in his life as husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus, and as a tradesman in his local community, exemplified those virtues of trust, faith and love. Such virtues are part of the charism of Mary MacKillop.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop was canonised on 17th October, 2010. She is Australia’s first saint and members of the St Joseph’s School community are called to live out her motto of “Never see a need without trying to remedy it”.
The Josephite symbol, the 3 J’s represent Jesus, St Joseph and John the Baptist.
