The Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph and their works

At the time, the typical Hôtel-Dieu was recognizable by its chapel, whose bell tower, visible from a distance, served as a landmark for a single building or for a complex that included a monastery, a hospital, an apothecary, a hospice, an orphanage, a boarding school, and other outbuildings. The Hôtel-Dieu was usually surrounded by vast cultivated areas, vegetable gardens, orchards, and a farm with livestock and a farmyard.

Often located in small towns, this model of a Hôtel-Dieu, which housed multiple works, was common in France from the beginning. This was the case, among others, for Baugé-en-Anjou, whose type of Hôtel-Dieu would be replicated in Canada, especially from the 19th century onward. Undoubtedly due to social needs and the quality of the services offered, the number of Hôtels-Dieu increased. Although no longer owned by the Religious Hospitallers, several of the congregation’s hospitals retained the historic designation of Hôtel-Dieu, even in English-speaking locations.

Number of establishments

The congregation’s archives attest that from its beginnings in 1636 to 2024, the Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph founded and served in approximately 160 institutions. In summary, the congregation’s works fall into two categories: 62.5% are healthcare institutions, while 27.5% are dedicated to education.

Among the 100 facilities for the care of the sick are 28 Hôtel-Dieu of St. Joseph’s Hospitals, two of which are university hospitals; 18 other hospitals, including one university hospital; 23 nursing homes for the elderly and disabled; ten clinics; seven dispensaries, including a dispensary boat on the Amazon River; six maternity hospitals; three residential services homes; two tuberculosis sanatoriums; and, finally, and uniqely, lazarettos in Acadia and the Peruvian Amazon. Additionally, there is a food bank and clothing counters.

The Religious Hospitallers also founded and directed approximately 60 educational institutions. The reception of poor and homeless children in the first hospitals gave rise to the orphanages and other educational institutions established by the Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph. Over time, the congregation took charge of eight orphanages and nine boarding schools to provide education for girls of all ages and for boys aged six to twelve. They also founded 11 schools with classes from elementary to secondary level, five academies for all grade levels with boarding and day students, five kindergartens, a classical college for girls at the undergraduate university level, as well as thirteen nursing schools and seven nursing assistant schools. Table of RHSJ establishments in PDF format.

A legacy to preserve

The Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph have transferred ownership of all their works as society and countries have evolved. However, since the 17th century, these works have left their mark and it is expected that the values and mission of these institutions will continue beyond the 21st century through, among other things, the Associates and the two main organizations established to ensure the sustainability of the Hospitallers’ mission.

In Canada, Catholic Health International (CHI), headquartered in Miramichi, New Brunswick, brings together twenty-three health care institutions, around twenty of which were founded by the Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph in Ontario, New Brunswick and the United States.

As for the health work of the Religious Hospitallers in France, the Saint-Martin de Beaupréau Establishments, in Maine-et-Loire, constitute one of the three components of the Foundation for Christian-inspired Health and Social Action (FASSIC).

In Latin America: : In San José de Ocoa, Dominican Republic, a Religious Hospitaller is still active in pastoral ministry. In Lima, Pérou, a Religious Hospitaller of St. Joseph attends to the needs of the children at the San José Daycare Centre.