St. Jeanne Jugan
“Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
St. Jeanne Jugan founded the Little Sisters of the Poor by welcoming a destitute elderly woman into her own home.
The story
Jeanne Jugan was born on October 25, 1792, in Cancale, a fishing village in Brittany, France. Her father was lost at sea when she was young, leaving the family in poverty. Jeanne worked as a kitchen maid and later served in a hospital at Saint-Servan. She chose a life of consecrated virginity and joined other women in prayer and works of charity.
In the winter of 1839, Jeanne encountered Anne Chauvin, an elderly, blind, and destitute woman. Jeanne carried her home, gave the woman her own bed, and slept in the attic. Other elderly women soon arrived. Jeanne and her companions cared for them with food, shelter, personal attention, and prayer. This simple act became the beginning of the Little Sisters of the Poor.
To support the growing household, Jeanne went through the streets with a begging basket. She asked shopkeepers, families, and sailors to share food, money, and useful goods. She took the religious name Sister Mary of the Cross. In 1842 the young community elected her superior. The following year, however, their priest adviser removed her from leadership and placed a younger sister in charge. He gradually concealed Jeanne’s role as foundress and claimed authority over the work.
Jeanne accepted this injustice without leaving the community. She continued begging for several years and was later sent into retirement at the motherhouse in Saint-Pern. There she lived in obscurity among the novices, many of whom did not know that she had begun the congregation. She died on August 29, 1879. By then, the Little Sisters were serving thousands of elderly poor people in several countries. Historical investigation eventually restored recognition of her true role. Pope John Paul II beatified her in 1982, and Pope Benedict XVI canonized her on October 11, 2009. Her memorial appears in the Roman Martyrology on August 30.
What Jeanne teaches
St. Jeanne Jugan teaches that love begins by making room for a person whom society overlooks. Her hidden years also show that holiness does not depend on receiving credit. Christ identifies himself with those in need in Matthew 25:40.
Patronage
elderly people, the poor, caregivers, Little Sisters of the Poor.
Prayer
God of mercy, you inspired St. Jeanne Jugan to recognize Christ in the elderly poor. Through her intercession, make us generous toward people who are lonely, frail, or forgotten. Give caregivers patience, and teach us to serve without seeking praise. Amen.