We, the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph, an indigenous congregation of women religious , founded by the Most Rev. Bishop John Aelen, the Archbishop of Madras on 13th February, 1883 under the patronage of St. Joseph at Vepery Chennai – 600 112, mainly called to define our commitment in these words: “Towards Integral Liberation in Solidarity with the Oppressed and the Downtrodden with Singular Emphasis on Women and Female Children”. The Congregation attained its Pontifical status on 7 April 1998. The guiding spirit of the Lord has worked wonders through the ages leaving an indelible mark on the sands of time. The Congregation reads the signs of time and renders the Church and its people service in various forms: Pastoral, Evangelical, Educational, Healing, Social, Political and Ecological situations.