Brother Joel Palud was born on 4 May 1961. He entered the novitiate in 1984, made his first vows in 1986 and perpetual vows in 1993.
He studied Theology and became a professor of Spanish in Reims. He has served as director at Saint-Étienne for five years (Lycée Sainte Barbe).
Between 2004 and 2009, he served in Rwanda to assist street children at a residential centre.
He has also served as professor at ECAM (School of Engineering) in Lyon, and since 2021 he has served as community director at Lyon Montée des Carmes.