Celebrating Mother Joseph Day on April 16
— Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart,
December 27, 1858
On this birth date of Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart, born in 1823 as Esther Pariseau, the Sisters of Providence of Mother Joseph Province; the employees, volunteers, and supporters of its sponsored ministries; and the people of Washington state celebrate and honor the spirit and legacy of this humble visionary.
In 1999 a group of sixth-grade students from Vancouver, Washington, cradle of the religious community in the American West, petitioned the state legislature to declare this day as Mother Joseph Day. The bill passed unanimously.
Mother Joseph’s commitment to serve everyone in need continues to be carried out in the challenging health care world of today. Good works endure.
Posted April 12, 2005