THE NEW CONGREGATION spread rapidly throughout France. On the eve of the French Revolution, there were about 150 communities of Sisters of St Joseph. These had been established in the Dioceses of Le Puy, Clermont, Vienne, Lyons and a dozen others in that area of France.

The Sisters' lives of prayer and service amongst the people, especially the poor, continued until the French Revolution. This disaster not only prevented further expansion but dispersed the Sisters and halted their public tasks.  Many of the Sisters returned to their own homes or to houses where they would be safe. Amongst these Sisters was Mother St John Fontbonne who would be a significant figure in the post-Revolution history of the Congregation. During the Revolution, these Sisters continued to carry out their apostolate in secret. One of their chief tasks was to shelter priests who were also subject to the persecutions of the Revolution.

Mother St John was imprisoned and sentenced to trial and execution in Le Puy on 27th July 1794. They were saved by the execution of Robespierre on July 26th 1794.

Five other Sisters were martyred by the Revolutionaries:

Sr Jeanne Marie Aubert, 20th June 1794
     Sr Marie-Anne Garnier, 20th June 1794
         Sr Sainte Croix Vincent, 5th August 1794
             Sr Madeline Senovert, 5th August 1794
                Sr Toussaint Dumolin. 5th August 1794