Our Patrons / Special Feast Days
The paintings below were painted by Patrick O'Carrigan msc
St Joseph
Feast Day: 19 March
When the Sisters came to Tasmania in 1887, Fr Julian, our co-founder wrote: “I am so glad to find you are established and well taken care of in ST JOSEPH’S island of Tasmania.”
Who is this Joseph?
He is a young man in intimate relationship with himself, his family, his people and his God. He dares to enter into the mystery of his faith which transcends the bounds of convention, yet he is a realist. When the safety of his family is threatened by political forces, he takes refuge in another country. He is his own man who follows his conscience. For it, he risks disgrace and censure, but he remains respectful of the law.
In his manhood, Joseph is at home with both the masculine and the feminine. He is both protector and nurturer.
Joseph honours the dignity of labour. The work of his hands is not for useless gain, but for the good of all. He is a just man. He is a wise man who, knowing how to live, knows how to die, at peace with his God, his family and himself.
Joseph is a man for all times and seasons, the universal patron of the Church.
In confidence we “Go to Joseph,” guardian of our island home.
The Baptist
Feast Day: 24 June
His name is John, close cousin of Jesus. From his mother’s womb until his death he ‘leaped with joy’ in the presence of Jesus.
John the prophet consecrated his life to God in a religious community, preparing himself in the desert to proclaim God’s message: “Jesus is our Saviour.” He found strength in the prophet Isaiah’s words:
Those who hope in Yahweh renew their strength.
They put out wings like eagles.They run and do not grow weary,Walk and never tire
Isaiah. 40:31
John fearlessly “put on wings like eagles” to fulfil God’s promise: he believed, he saw and then pointed to Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit in Baptism he “prepared the way of the Lord” for his day and the ages to come. The cost? His life. As John did, the baptised Jesus sought strength in the desert for his public ministry. And the cost for him, too, was death, death on a Cross. Trusting in Jesus’ triumph over the Cross we are inspired to live out our baptismal commitment.
Our Foundation Day - Feast of Mary Help of Christians
Feast Day: 24 May
On this day in 1887 the Sisters of St Joseph came to Tasmania, on a new mission to meet the needs of their time. Mary is the “valiant woman” of the New Testament, the first Christian. We, too, are called upon to be valiant women of our time. Mary shows us the way. She is central to Pentecost: “And the power of the Spirit overshadows them.” The Church is born and Mary is our Mother.
We engage in constant discernment of God’s will for us just as Mary ‘pondered’ the mystery of her life. Sometimes we find ourselves in uncharted waters that, to some, seem a risk, but, looking through Mary’s eyes, we see possibility. She gives us direction through faith in the power and love of her Son, Jesus.
Mary makes no claim to proud position. She walked with the other women who ministered to the disciples and to all those who needed help. We ask for no more than to do the same, as Sisters of St Joseph.
The Sacred Heart
The Sacred Heart symbolises the love and compassion of God wherever we are. It is central to our being Josephites, pulsating life in all our circumstances.
“Lift Up Your Hearts” continues to be the spirit that energises our school community. Hundreds of students wear this reminder on their hearts daily. It reflects the sacredness of each person in their community.
For us sisters it is the heartbeat of our spirit and measure of our fidelity to our vowed promise to embrace Jesus’ command: “Love on another as I have loved you.”
Fr Julian
Feast Day: 7 October
He walked before us in mission and in forest wilderness. We tread those same paths and meet Fr Julian through memory. We hold fast to his spiritual legacy and ecological care: In 1878, he wrote about the necessity for reserves if Tasmanian forests. On missions he shared the hospitality of our families. His inspirational passion for the Gospel inspired young Tasmanian women to commit their lives as Sisters of St Joseph throughout the continent.
We take heart from his disregard for either personal success or failure: “All is for the glory of God.” In each new age of challenge we aspire to Fr Julian’s pioneering spirit, believing “all things are possible with God.”
Mary MacKillop
Feast Day: 8 August
Come to MacKillop Hill, Forth, Tasmania. There you will find the dedicated expression of our deep love of Mary and all the Josephite family. There, St Joseph’s community centre, formerly a church, was opened on 19 March, 1866, the day of our Josephite birth in a stable at Penola, South Australia. In 1887 the first Sisters arrived in Tasmania. They visited Mary on the way. “She was a real mother to us,” they wrote. She still is our loving mother. When we are challenged to a new beginning we look to Mary for courage to make the seemingly impossible, possible. We live and breathe her spirit, praying to see the future through her eyes, never doubting the goodness of God to show the way. When times are hard and we struggle with opposition, indifference, even hostility, Mary of the Cross casts her loving gaze over her Sisters and assures us, “All will be well.”
Federation Day – 28th July
All members of the Federation celebrate Federation Day on 28 July and share in common a prayer specially composed for the occasion.
