The Congregation of St. Joseph is an "apostolic", or "active" religious congregation, as different from a "monastic" or "contemplative" religious congregation.
The Congregation of St. Joseph is a "Pontifical" religious congregation (it is accountable directly to the Pope), as different from a "Diocesan" religious congregation (which is accountable to the local bishop).
The Congregation of St. Joseph ministers to young people in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
The Congregation of St. Joseph numbers approximately 650 vowed members.
The Congregation of St. Joseph is a branch of a much larger "tree" called the "St. Leonard Family", rooted in the spirituality of St. Leonard Murialdo, the founder of the Congregation of St. Joseph. The St. Leonard Family includes the Congregation of St. Joseph, the Sisters of St. Leonard ("Murialdine"), the "St. Leonard Lay Followers", cooperators in our youth ministry, the "Youth of the St. Leonard Family", alumni, teachers and volunteers of our educational institutions and youth centers, parishioners of our parishes, benefactors, friends.
The Congregation of St. Joseph lives the profound conviction of God's infinite, merciful, personal LOVE manifested in the present moment.
According to our Founder, St. Leonard Murialdo, God’s love for us is real, tender, patient, relentless. God loves us, not because we are good, but because he is! God loves us now, and as only God can love: infinitely, with unimaginable affection!
The Congregation of St. Joseph's motto is Quitet Action; like Joseph, the father of Jesus, we work hard, but prefer to do it unnoticed.
The members of the Congregation of St. Joseph strive to form a well united family in each community through charity, humility and prayer.
As a Congregation, we are charged with offering the awesome love of God to the Young People of the world.
We aim at educating what is most precious in young people: their heart.
We are to master the pedagogy of sweetness, tenderness and ready availability to youth.
We treasure the ministry of presence among them and attention to their genuine needs.
In the diocese of Cleveland, the jewel of our youth ministry is the St. Leonard Youth Retreat Center in Avon.
The local community is also a house of discernment or a formation house, accompanying young people in the discovery of their vocation.
We offer liturgical assistance to area parishes, especially on weekends, and we are a hub for youth spirituality.