Answering the Call

Founded after the Civil War to minister to newly freed slaves, the St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart is the only congregation in the American Catholic Church whose exclusive mission is to the African American community.

Josephite Spirituality is centered on St. Joseph and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Under the patronage of St. Joseph, the first missionary, the Josephites are committed to the ministry of hope and the formation of faith among African Americans.

Since 1871, the Josephites have been proclaiming the good news through apostolic, parish and educational works as the needs and times require.

  • The Society serves in parishes, schools and special ministries in the dioceses and archdioceses in the United States and the District of Columbia.
  • The Josephites were instrumental in incorporating the African American cultural experience into the liturgy of the Catholic Church in the United States.
  • Four Josephites and three laymen founded the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver in 1909, which today is the largest fraternal organization of African American Catholics.

Contact the Josephite Vocation Ministry Office:

Phone: (202) 832-9100

E-mail: Vocations@Josephite.com

Mail: P.O. Box 65010
Baltimore, MD 21209

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