Saint Joseph Novitiate
Jensen Beach, FL
St. Augustine
Est. 1953
Est. 1974
Expanding Horizons.
The first novitiate for the Sisters of Saint Joseph was established in their Jacksonville convent sometime after 1869. Over the years, the novitiate of our Sisters of St. Joseph has seen several relocations, each marking a chapter in our community's history.
One significant move occurred in 1953 when the novitiate relocated to Jensen Beach, Miami, FL.
In the Know. What is a novice?
Novices are individuals undergoing training and preparation before formally joining a religious community. The novitiate is the place or period where this training takes place. Novices were expected to learn the values and teachings of their religious order before officially professing their vows as Sisters.
Sisters who spent their novitiate years at Jensen Beach fondly recall it as a sacred place of spiritual growth, deepening their relationship with God and strengthening their bonds of community. Through prayer, study, and shared experiences, they were formed in faith and prepared for a life of service.
A vote for unity
In 1953, when the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph relocated to Jensen Beach, it fell under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Miami, while the Motherhouse remained in the diocese of St. Augustine.
At that time, there was a proposal from the bishops of both dioceses to split the congregation. The idea was for Miami to oversee the novitiate and St. Augustine to manage the Motherhouse. Additionally, this split could lead to a geographical separation of the Sisters based on their current residence.
This proposal carried significant implications for the Sisters' unity and communal life. However, in a rare and pivotal moment, the Sisters were granted the opportunity to vote on the matter. This voting privilege was remarkable in an era when women often had limited influence over decisions within religious institutions that were dominated by male leadership. The Sisters collectively chose to remain unified as one congregation.
A Historic Decision
The decision to stay together underscored their commitment to solidarity, shared mission, and community cohesion.
A Path to Higher Learning
Five years after establishing the novitiate in Jensen Beach, the Sisters of Saint Joseph achieved a major milestone when they were granted a charter to establish Saint Joseph College on the novitiate's property.
Over time, Saint Joseph College transformed into a Liberal Arts Catholic college that welcomed lay men and women. This expansion broadened its academic offerings to include majors in various fields such as science, business administration, fine arts, languages, and social sciences.
Moving to St. Augustine
After selling the Jensen Beach property, the Sisters constructed Brown Hall Novitiate across the street from the Motherhouse in St. Augustine, as an addition to the existing Villa Flora property. The Sisters are considered a “closed order” and no longer accept new postulants or novitiates.
Until 2024, Brown Hall and Villa Flora property was utilized as a Spiritual Retreat Center for religious and lay people.
Closing the Novitiate and College
By 1972, financial challenges necessitated the sale of the St. Joseph College of Florida campus to the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) for its Marine Science Program. This transaction also mandated the relocation of the novitiate, housed on the same property.
