On August 30, the feast day of French saint Jeanne Jugan (1792–1879), we remember the extraordinary life and legacy of this compassionate woman.
Jeanne Jugan’s devotion to the elderly poor led her to found the congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor, a mission that would eventually span the globe, including the United States.
Her profound understanding of the dignity of the aged continues to be celebrated today.
However, what remains lesser known is the poignant tale of Jeanne Jugan’s own life – a life marked by humility and sacrifice, where she found herself often sidelined by the very congregation she founded.
Early Years and Devotion
Born in Cancale, France, on October 25, 1792, Jeanne was the daughter of a sailor.
At a young age, she felt a deep calling to devote her life to God.
By the age of 25, she had joined the third order established by St. John Eudes in the 17th century.
Working as a nurse’s aide, her sole desire was to serve God by caring for the most impoverished among the elderly.
A Fateful Evening and the Birth of a Mission
In 1839, a freezing winter evening marked a pivotal moment in Jeanne’s life.
She encountered a blind and crippled elderly woman, moved by compassion, she carried the woman on her shoulders to her own modest attic, tending to her needs.
This act of kindness repeated with more elderly women, eventually forming an association by 1843, when three companions joined Jeanne.
Together, they cared for around 40 elderly individuals.
The Unjust Ostracism
Despite her dedication and the association’s growth, Jeanne Jugan, who would later be known as Sister Marie de la Croix, faced a heartbreaking sidelining within her own congregation.
Fueled by false stories, she was removed from her position as the superior and sent out to seek support for the rapidly expanding houses across France.
Jeanne endured this unjust treatment with grace, believing that her mission’s purpose, serving the elderly poor, was greater than herself.
The Quiet Years of Sacrifice
Between 1843 and 1852, Jeanne tirelessly gathered financial support from donors and established several homes for the elderly in France.
Rumor has it that even the renowned English novelist Charles Dickens may have visited her.
Local newspapers in Brittany praised her, and she received the prestigious Montyon prize from the Académie Française for her exceptional work.
Despite these external accolades, within her own congregation, she remained sidelined.
In 1852, she was recalled to Rennes, then to La Tour St. Joseph, the mother house of the congregation, with orders to cease all activities and interactions with benefactors.
A Quiet Departure
This imposed retirement lasted until Jeanne’s passing at the age of 86 on August 29, 1879.
She departed from this world in obscurity and anonymity, leaving behind no written records.
However, her spiritual legacy left an indelible mark on the congregation.
Her unwavering faith, encapsulated in phrases like “Take good care of the good old people” and “What you do is for Jesus,” continued to guide the Little Sisters of the Poor.
A Rebirth of Recognition
More than two decades after her death, beginning in 1902, the light of recognition began to shine upon Jeanne Jugan’s life, gradually rehabilitating her reputation.
Her words of wisdom, passed down by the nuns who had known her, continue to inspire the spirit of the Little Sisters of the Poor to this day.
Jeanne Jugan was beatified on October 3, 1982, by Pope John Paul II and canonized on October 11, 2009, by Pope Benedict XVI.
A Growing Legacy
Today, Jeanne Jugan’s order, the Little Sisters of the Poor, thrives.
With 1,400 members spread across over 200 homes in 31 countries on five continents, the congregation maintains its unwavering focus on the care of the elderly poor.
Regardless of location, these homes are named “Ma Maison” in France and equivalent terms in other countries, emphasizing the desire to create a true home for the elderly, especially the most vulnerable among them.
In Her Footsteps
The story of Jeanne Jugan serves as a powerful testament to the enduring impact of selfless compassion and dedication to the less fortunate.
Her life, though marked by periods of obscurity, has become a shining example of how one person’s profound commitment can transform the lives of countless others.
As we remember Jeanne Jugan on her feast day, her legacy continues to inspire and guide those who seek to serve the elderly with love and dignity.
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