She was born Esther Pariseau in Saint-Elzéar, from Saint-Martin, Laval, Quebec, Canada. In 1843, at the age of 20, she entered the convent of the newly founded Sisters of Charity of Providence (now Sisters of Providence) in Montreal. At that time, her father, a carriagemaker who had accompanied her, is said to have remarked to the Mother Superior, "I bring you my daughter, Esther, who wishes to dedicate herself to the religious life. She can read, write, figure accurately, sew, cook, spin and do all manner of housework. She can even do carpentering, handling a hammer and saw as well as her father. She can also plan for others and she succeeds in anything she undertakes. I assure you, Madame, that she will make a good Superior some day."Architect of the Capitol-Art "Mother Joseph" She took the name Sister Joseph in honor of her father.HistoryLink.org, "Mother Joseph of the Sisters of Providence (Esther Pariseau) (1823-1902)," HistoryLink.org Essay 5483
