The spirit of this family is that of a holy Liberty of the Children of God...
Jérôme Le Royer de la Dauversière; first Constitutions of 1643
157 years of dedication and compassion
The Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph (RHSJ) arrived in Tracadie in 1868 and worked with dedication and compassion for 157 years. The departure in 2025 of the congregation’s last two nuns marks the end of an era for a community that will be eternally grateful.
Réseau de santé Vitalité, lundi 12 mai 2025 Le Réseau de santé Vitalité tient à souligner le départ des Religieuses Hospitalières de Saint-Joseph à Tracadie et à les remercier pour leur engagement remarquable en tant que pionnières des soins de santé en français au Nouveau-Brunswick.
Since 1636, the Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph have been driven by the spiritual legacy of Jérôme Le Royer de la Dauversière and Marie de la Ferre. This legacy permeates their lives and their mission to serve the most vulnerable wherever they are.
The history of Jeanne Mance and the Hospitallers is intertwined. The first three Hospitallers arrived at the Hôtel-Dieu in Montreal from France with Jeanne Mance on October 20, 1659. In 1676, three years after Jeanne Mance’s death, the administration of the Hôtel-Dieu was entrusted to the Hospitallers. Today, they entrust the Centre Jeanne-Mance with the mission of promoting the life and work of Jeanne Mance (1606-1673) and perpetuating her legacy by emphasizing her educational, historical, and spiritual impact.
In 1985, the Congregation returned to its origins and offered a place of connection to Christians who wished to live by the spirit and charism of the Congregation. This marked the birth of the first groups of associates. Along with the Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph, the Associates form a large spiritual family. Together, they bear witness to a loving God who unites and liberates.
The heritage of the Religious Hospitallers is rich and varied. Its collection commemorates the history of the congregation since its founding and the places where the RHSJs have served.