CSJ Institute

Exciting news from Pope Francis as he declares this the year of St. Joseph. Learn more below! #sistersofstjosephofcarondelet #accssj #CSJLA #sistersofstjoseph #dearneighbor #advent2020

As we enter into the second week of Advent and a time that encourages us to focus on our faith, Maxim 8 reminds us that we can feel secure in our intents and decisions when we place our trust in God. #maximmonday #accssj #sistersofstjosephofcarondelet #CSJLA #CSJ #advent2020 #msmu #dearneighbor

Today, December 2nd, we invite you to remember the lives and important work of Sister Dorothy Kazel, Sister Maura Clarke, Sister Ita Ford, and Catholic lay worker Jean Donovan, missionaries who were martyred 40 years ago today while serving the people of El Salvador. As civil war and political unrest unfolded around them, the four women worked tirelessly to serve the poor and those in need. Family and friends pleaded with the women to return home as their living conditions b...ecame more dangerous each of them shared in their own way that they felt called to be with the people of El Salvador during this time. These words from Sister Ita Ford reflecting on her choice to remain in the country give us a window into the calling these women must have felt, I truly believe that I should be here, and I can’t even tell you why. All I can share with you is that God’s palpable presence has never been more real". Let us go forward today inspired by the lives of Sister Dorothy, Sister Maura, Sister Ita, and Jean Donovan.

We love this video from the Association of Colleges of Sisters of St. Joseph with members of both our Mount Saint Mary's University community and fellow CSJ institutions sharing why they vote. Check out the video and tell us why you vote in the comments! #FoundersFriday #acssj #CSJLA #CSJ #SistersofStJoseph #msmuvotes

Here is a special Maxim as we enter this season of Advent, a time marked by expectant waiting and preparation for the days to come. Maxim 17 prompts us to not let go of, but instead to hold our own desires gently while we are reminded to put our full trust into God. #maximmonday #CSJLA #accssj #sistersofstjosephofcarondelet #dearneighbor #advent2020 #msmu #CSJ

We are sharing stories of CSJs who have gone before us for our virtual Día de los Muertos and it only seemed fitting to start with Sr. Vivian McIntyre, CSJ (left) and Sr. Catherine Anita Fitzgerald, CSJ who served in the Mount Library as Doheny Campus Librarian and Head Librarian respectively. We relied on our friends in the MSMU Library to get this project done and we are grateful for Sr. Vivian and Sr Catherine who helped pave the way for the Mount! This picture from 1947 marked the opening of the Charles Willard Coe Memorial Library on the Chalon campus. Special shout out to April Casillas for researching! #msmudialosmuertos #msmuofrenda #msmuallsoulsday #msmulibrary #csjarchives #csjhistory

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Sr. Annette Bower, CSJ on Thursday, November 19. Sr. Annette's ties to the Mount ran deep. She received her bachelor's degree in biology from the Mount, her master's degree from Creigton Catholic University in cell biology, and a PhD in neuroendocrinology from the University of Arizona. Sr. Annette chaired the Mount's Biological Sciences Department for four decades. Her research and work focused on investigati...ng the causes of high blood pressure and heart attacks. In addition to her research Sr. Annette saw the importance of women being able to further their education in the sciences. She received a grant from the National Science Foundation to help women return to school and receive graduate degrees in the science and medical field. Countless women credit their careers in medicine to Sr. Annette's commitment to providing access and dismantling barriers that helped diversify the field. Sr. Annette's life and work embodied the charism for the Sisters of St. Joseph and we remain inspired by the many lives she touched.

As we begin a week of practicing gratitude, Maxim 88 provides us a chance to be grateful for all of the moments in our lives, big and small. #maximmonday #CSJLA #sistersofstjosephofcarondelet #dearneighbor #accssj #msmu

We have collaborated with our friends in the MSMU Libraries and Campus Ministry to bring you a virtual Día de los Muertos experience! Over the next few days we'll be sharing altars created by our community, stories of our founding Mount CSJs who have gone before us, and some creative tips and crafts to create your own altar. Make sure you are following along on instagram, instagram.com/msmu.csjinstitute so you don't miss a post! We love this altar created by Ariana Flores MS...MU '23. Interested in the origins of this celebration? Check out this great overview by Ariana! Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a holiday that traces its origins to Mexico. In this tradition families place food and drinks along with a picture of a relative who has gone before them to welcome their relatives souls. We refer to this as an ofrenda. Día de Los Muertos is from October 31 to November 2. On the night of October 31, the gates of heaven open, and the souls of children and adults can join their families to eat together. On this day, the world of the living and dead become one. Origins of Día de Los Muertos go back as far as 3,000 years to the pre-Columbian Mesoamerica era!- Ariana Flores, MSMU '23 #msmudialosmuertos #msmuofrenda #msmuallsoulsday

We are less than a week away from Election Day and our Sisters are here to remind you that your vote counts. Questions about voting in your state? Visit vote.org for resources. And thank you Sr Julie, Sr. Kieran, Sr. Margaret, and Sr. Jan for representing MSMU votes! #WisdomWednesday #CSJLA #CSJ #acssj #sistersofstjoseph #dearneighbor #vote #vote2020 #msmuvotes #msmuunstoppable

Another Monday, and another Maxim! Maxim 47 helps us remember the importance of allowing others the opportunity to shine, and that there is meaning, and even beauty in those more mundane tasks. #maximmonday #CSJLA #dearneighbor #CSJ #msmu #acssj

Wishing a happy reunion to our Mount Alums and their families celebrating this weekend! A special congratulations to Sr. Judy Molosky, CSJ, and the class of 1970, this year's Golden Grads! And we think that is a copy of "That All May Be One" from our friends at Association of Colleges of Sisters of St. Joseph in your Golden Grad gift box! #CSJ #acssj #msmuunstoppable #CSJLA #msmu #dearneighbor #ClassOf1970

Did you know the Mount has a history blog written and managed by our own archivist Vicky McCarger? Filled with stories and images of the Mount's early years and some remarkable ways these stories tie into the present, learn more about the University and our CSJ tradition. https://mountarchives.blogspot.com/ #WisdomWednesday #msmuunstoppable #CSJ #acssj #dearneighbor

A new week and a new Maxim! Did you know the Maxims date back to our founding in 1650? They were written by Jean Pierre Médaille, SJ specifically for our founding Sisters. The Maxims are meant to be both practical and inspirational. Each week we share a Maxim in hopes of inspiring you for the week ahead! #MaximMonday #acssj #sistersofstjoseph #csjcarondelet #msmuunstoppable #csj

Last chance to win a copy of Sister Helen Prejean inspiring memoir "River of Fire"! For details on how to enter head over to instagram.com/msmu.csjinstitute Give away ends TONIGHT! ... to @what.jill.reads #msmuunstoppable #csjcarondelet #sistersofstjoseph #acssj #riveroffire

How it started vs how it’s going! Today we celebrate 95 years of Mount Saint Mary’s University, founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph on October 15, 1925. Here we have our first group of Faculty, including our first President, Mother Margaret Brady, CSJ, swipe right to see our current President, Dr. Ann McElaney-Johnson with students and Sisters today! And yes, the CSJ and the Mount share a Founders Day, albeit with a 275 year difference! credit MSMU Archives #howitstarted #foundersday #acssj #sistersofstjoseph #msmu #msmuunstoppable #dearneighbor

Today marks 370 years since the founding of the Sisters of St. Joseph! Formed in Le Puy France, the first six CSJs served the dear neighbor in their city in a variety of ways, including medical care, and training women in the art of lace making, a profitable skill at the time. Today we remember our historic beginnings in Le Puy and show gratitude to both our founding Sisters and our Sisters who have continued their vision. #csj #acssj #sistersofstjoseph #foundersday #howitstarted #msmunstoppable #csjcarondelet #dearneighbor MSMU, Pilgrimage to Le Puy, France, 2017

Giveaway time! Want to win a copy of Sister Helen Prejean's latest book "River of Fire"? Head on over to our instagram page and complete the entry rules to win your copy of this inspiring memoir detailing Sr. Helen's journey to becoming an activist. https://www.instagram.com/msmu.csjinstitute/ Must complete the instagram entry in order to qualify! One entry per user to @what.jill.reads

The Institute is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sr. Elaine Stephen, CSJ. A graduate of the Mount, Sr. Elaine spent many years as a substance abuse counselor. We are grateful for Sr. Elaine's dedication and life of service to the dear neighbor.