St. Joseph (Gerona), Daughters of
ST. JOSEPH (GERONA), DAUGHTERS OF
(FSJ; Official Catholic Directory #0930); or Josefinas, a religious congregation founded in Spain in 1875 by Francisco Butiño, SJ (1834–99), and Isabel de Maranges (1850–1922). A group of young women—including the noble-born Isabel de Maranges—who lived together in Calella de la Costa, a town in the Barcelona province, and led a retired life of prayer and work under the spiritual direction of Father Butiño, formed the nucleus of the Servants of St. Joseph (Siervas de San José ). Their first house opened in 1875 with the local bishop's authorization and received the privilege of a private oratory in 1876. Butiño helped form the spirit of the institute until his death, by which time the sisters had spread throughout Spain. Mother Isabel acted as superior-general until December 1912. Papal approval (decretum laudis ) came in 1900, when the name was changed to its present one of Congregacion de Religiosas Hijas de San José. The papal decree approving the institute appeared in 1902, and the definitive decree approving the constitutions in 1935. In carrying out their triple ideal of promoting the glory of God, the good of souls, and devotion to St. Joseph, the sisters aid the infirm and operate schools, colleges, orphanages, hospitals, clinics, and homes for the aged. The generalate is in Madrid, Spain. The United States headquarters is in Los Angeles, California.
[e. mendÍa/eds.]