St. Jeanne Jugan, L.S.P., Patron of the Elderly Destitute

First published in the August 29, 2022 Bulletin of St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, Delray Beach, FL 

Born October 25. 1792; Died August 29, 1879

Beatified October 2, 1982 by Pope John Paul II; Canonized October 11, 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI

Feast Day: August 30 

Some saints are less well-known than others, and that is the case with our Saint of the Week this week, Sister Jeanne Jugan, the founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

 She had first-hand experience with poverty. She was born during the French Revolution, and grew up in a small town. Life in wartime is hard, and the French Revolution was no exception. Violence was the norm, and begging, for many, was the only way to survive. Not only that, but the Catholic Church had been outlawed. Those known to be Catholics were subject to imprisonment and even death. However, as is often the case when the Church is imperiled, small groups of laypeople were able to keep religious instruction alive, if in secret. Jeanne was fortunate that her own mother accepted the risks of teaching her young daughter the faith.

The family’s poverty became more entrenched when Jeanne’s father was lost at sea when she was only four years old. As was not uncommon at the time, Jeanne was soon forced to work herself, first as a shepherdess. She learned to knit, and to spin wool.

As a teenager, Jeanne began to work for a wealthy family. There, she often accompanied members of the household in visiting the needy sick and elderly in the village. She learned that she could put her faith into practice by showing love for her neighbors, even though she herself had nothing material to give.

Later, she worked for an elderly woman, who prayed with her every day, and whom she accompanied in performing charitable works. Together, they held catechism classes for children of the area. When the woman died, Jeanne joined with two other women, renting a room together and devoting themselves to daily Mass and to those in need. They had a particular mission to the elderly who were alone and ill. Ultimately, this group of women, joined by others, banded together as a religious order. Jeanne, who took the name Sister Mary of the Cross, was elected as the superior.

Perhaps most telling of Jeanne’s humility was her reaction to disagreements which arose about her leadership. Finding that this distracted from the Order’s work of caring for the elderly poor, she resigned. She returned to raising funds by begging in the street, spending time in prayer, and encouraging the nuns to see Jesus in those they ministered to.

Today, the Little Sisters of the Poor continue the work that St. Jeanne Jugan started, serving in the poor and elderly in 36 countries on six of the seven continents. You can learn more about St. Jeanne Jugan and the Little Sisters of the Poor at their website, https://littlesistersofthepoor.org/saint-jeanne-jugan/her-story/