ABOUT LSSJ

We are an apostolic congregation. Following and imitating the great Servant our Lord Jesus Christ.We want to be of service to our fellow men and women, always ready to assist where our helping hands are needed most. This is the purpose of our Congregation within the mission of the church and according to the charism developed and lived by our Founder Mgr. Peter Joseph Savelberg.

OUR FOUNDER

Mgr. PETER JOSEPH SAVELBERG is the founder of the Little Sisters of St. Joseph. He was born in Heerlen, Netherlands in 10th Feb 1827 and was ordained priest or Roermond Diocese in 1854.

This man of prayer, with a heart filled with the love of God and his fellow men and women was moved by the very poor and little ones who were neglected by the society thus the orphaned, old men and women, mentally and physically challenged, epileptic etc.

The challenge from such needy people moved him to found a congregation for sisters and brothers. He therefore founded the Congregation of the little sisters of St. Joseph on the 21st June 1872 and of the Brothers of St. Joseph in 1878 respectively. After having accomplished his mission he rested in peace in 1907.

PROVINCES AND ITS LEADERSHIP

The Congregation of the Little Sisters of St. Joseph is divided into provinces. These are part of the Congregations according to the norms of the Canons 581 and 621: administrative units, which comprise several communities under the leadership of a Provincial Superior, elected for a term of office in accordance with the statutes of the Congregation. ( Const. Art. 182)

Each province has its own Provincial Superior and with her council members hence together they form the provincial council.

 

The provincial council consists of the provincial Superior , vicaress and other council members. The number of council members depends on the size of the province and is decided on by the provincial chapter. The Provincial superiors and the council members are elected for 5 years and can be re-elected for another term of 5 years and not for a third term in the same position.

PROVINCIAL CHAPTERS.

The province may have a provincial chapter, to be convened by the provincial superior in accordance with the statutes of the Congregation and the statutes of the province. ( Can 632). The provincial chapter is convoked by the provincial superior every 5 years, 6 months after the General chapter.
In 1992 the Kenya region became a province in formation until 1996 when it was raised to the status of an autonomous province. Since then we have had several provincial chapters thus from 1992,1996,2002,2007 the lastly 2012.