JMJ Society

During French revolution the existing convents, the women religious had been practically unknown. Within the framework of the emancipation of the Church in the Netherlands, Fr. Wolff perceived the need for a sister congregation to assist him in the education of the girls in his mission – a mission which would be carried beyond this boundaries of the tiny Netherlands. During the course of revival Fr. Mathias Wolff responded with his sharp intellect to see the signs of times – the education of girls. In order to meet this demand, Fr. Mathias Wolff started the Society with three young girls, under different secular names in the beginning, as the socio, political atmosphere was not favorable towards religious. It was called as association of Miss Van Werkhoven, Pedagogie Christienne (Christian Education), later the congregation was also known as “Sisters of the Blessed virgin Mary” and eventually the “Society of Jesus Mary Joseph” and now the congregation of Jesus Mary Joseph.

His undaunted courage, strong faith, unshakable trust in the Divine Providence,the determination to work like a giant with the powerful weapons of prayer and asceticism, positive outlook to life and its realities and challenges enabled Father Mathias Wolff, to leave a lasting legacy of availability and hard work to his followers.

Global presence of JMJ: This flame of JMJ was brought to Indonesia in 1898 and then to India in 1904 when seven Dutch sisters came to Guntur to start their mission, of health care, education, and catechesis. The same flame was ignited afresh in 1962 when three provinces were erected namely the Netherlands, Indonesia and India.

The strenuous efforts of sisters in India yielded a rich fruit in the Lord’s vineyard and within a few years the glow of the flame shown all over the country resulting in the establishment of three provinces in 1987 and a fourth province in 2009.