Toronto, ON/October 7, 2020/For Immediate Release -- On October 7, 1851, four Sisters of St. Joseph came to Toronto from Philadelphia to care for children, left as orphans as a result of an epidemic of typhus. 

March 19 is the Feast of St. Joseph, patron saint of the Sisters of St. Joseph — therefore, an important day for the congregation. Here’s how Sister Josephine Conlin describes her connection to the saint: 

Recently, the Sisters’ Ministry for Social Justice, Peace & Creation Care, Collaborative Network to End Exploitation and Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada, embarked on a variety of social justice initiatives regarding the climate emergency, human trafficking and Indigenous rights.  

Though it's not done universally, lighting a white candle is a tradition that has become popular in modern day adaptations.

The third candle is pink and symbolizes joy. It is called the “Shepherd’s Candle,” and is pink because rose is a liturgical color for joy.