Who we are

The Apostolic Sisters desire to live by the spirit of the "beloved disciple", Saint John, the apostle and evangelist. They seek to witness to Christ's two-fold commandment of love, which he highlights in his writings: the contemplative demand of the love of God and its incarnation in fraternal charity. For this reason, they strive to unite contemplative prayer and evangelization while living in fraternal communities.



"The apostolate of the Apostolic Sisters of Saint John is fulfilled in communion with the Bishop of the Diocese, in a life of evangelization; it involves first of all the witness to a life of adoration, of contemplation and of fraternal charity overflowing into hospitality and spiritual help in all its forms. In a life all given to Jesus through Mary and through Saint John, they complete in their own way the apostolate of their Brothers, by their merciful deeds and their teaching."
(Constitutions of the Congregation #6)

Founded in France in 1984 by Fr. Marie Dominique Philippe, the Congregation of the Apostolic Sisters of Saint John is the third branch of the Family of St. John. It is a Roman Catholic religious institute with a monastic spirit and an apostolic mission. It was recognized by the Bishop of Autun (Burgundy, France) as an institute of diocesan right in 1993.


Today there are 19 priories throughout the world. There is currently one priory in the US, in East Orange, NJ.

Formation in the Community is made in one of the houses of formation (in France, in the Philippines or in Cameroon). The General Chapter of the Congregation has decided to open a house of formation in the United States. Awaiting for this to be effective, the Community welcomes at the Priory in New Jersey those who would like to join;


The Stages of the Sisters' Formation

The first stage is postulancy which is usually done in a House of Formation of the Community; it lasts between 6 to 12 months.
The second stage is the Novitiate which lasts between 2 years to 2 1/2 years. It is during this time that the Novice receives the habit.
The third stage is temporary profession which lasts for at least 4 years. During these years the Sister continues her formation and she also spends some years in an Apostolic Priory.
At the end of her temporary vows, if the Sister is accepted by the Community, she pronounces her perpetual vows (until death).
Young women who are interested in knowing more and possibly entering into further discernment may contact the Sisters in New Jersey for more information, (973) 678-7007.

"...the hour is coming, and it is now here, when true worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him."
-John 4:23

Adoration and Silent Prayer
The hidden life of Christ, a life of adoration and contemplation, is engraved in the very heart of the Sisters' apostolic life. This thirst for contemplation is the source of their apostolic life which bears witness to the mercy of Jesus for today's world.


Liturgical Prayer
Through the daily Eucharist, the Sisters unite themselves to the Sacrifice of Christ, offering themselves and all men, to the Father.

In chanting the Divine Office, they praise and glorify the Lord in interceding for the salvation of the world.

They strive to have a liturgical life which helps the faithful to pray and discover the presence of Mary praying in their midst and with them.

In order to offer their lives as a "consecration in the truth" according to Jesus' prayer to the Father for His disciples (John 17:17-19), each member is to receive a formation of the intelligence in a humble search for the truth. This assists in the purification of the heart which is a work of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary.

By their studies, the Sisters want to deepen their knowledge of the Word of God, taking as their model the way in which Mary lived by it, loved it and kept it in her heart. They will receive the doctrine of the Church to assist them in this, as it comes to them through Tradition and the teachings of the Fathers and Saint Thomas Aquinas. An important place is given to a philosophical understanding of the human person. These studies, which purify, form and give structure to their intelligence, should also allow a dialogue with all those searching for the truth.

This search for the Three Wisdoms - philosophical, theological, and mystical wisdom - enables them to love in truth, and become faithful witnesses of the mystery of Christ, all the while disposing them to the grace of purity of heart which is characteristic of St. John.

"Father, consecrate them in the truth." -John 17:17

The apostolic life of the Sisters, attentive to the missionary and universal needs of the Church, consists first of all in the testimony of their consecrated life. The Sisters strive to be, in the world, witnesses of the merciful love of Christ and to spread the fire of light and love that He came to enkindle in all hearts. Their role is to be an "oasis" of spiritual hospitality and of search for and communication of the truth.


This apostolic life varies according to the needs Divine Providence brings them in contact with, and is carried out in very close communion with the bishops of the dioceses where the Sisters serve. Their missions are diverse e.g.: children, youth and campus ministry, retreats for families, hospitality, parish ministry, education, ministry in nursing homes, visits to the poor and homebound.

"This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" -John 13:35

It is through fraternal charity, principally lived in communal life, that the Sisters live in full communion with the love Jesus has for all mankind. Following Saint John, they receive the gift of Mary and take her into their home, asking her to bring about this fraternal communion by being their mother and the mother of all through them.
The Services in Fraternal Life
The Sisters desire to cooperate joyfully in doing the daily chores of communal life. This cooperation in the common good through fraternal services bears witness to charity and poverty.

6:15 Silent Prayer
7:00 Lauds
7:30 Breakfast
8:00 Lectio Divina
8:45 Fraternal services
9:15 Classes or personal study
11:15 Sext, Mass and Thanksgiving

1:00 Lunch
Rosary
Manual work
4:30 Class
5:30 Vespers
6:00 Holy Hour
7:00 Dinner
8:15 Compline