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Art of Accompaniment |
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Radiating the Joy of Hospitality God began to fashion the soul of Jeanne Jugan at her birth to Joseph Joucan, a seafarer of this fishing port of St. Malo, and to Marie Hormel, a proud, resolute, God fearing woman who was the instrument used by God to impress upon Jeanne’s mind and heart the spiritual qualities of : Faith, Trust, Confidence in
God, Humility of Heart, Thus it was that she was born in Cancale (France) on October 25, 1792 and was from her earliest years accustomed to a rugged life, having been exposed to a life of poverty and hard work at the death of her father when she was just 4 years old. She inherited the tenacious character of the women of her region. She was the typical Cancalaise woman... Tall, Determined, Decisive, Ready to face whatever might come, within the practical intelligence and innate ability to adapt to the most unpredictable situations. Jeanne had told this to her mother repeatedly when a young sailor from Cancale asked for her hand in marriage. “God wants me for Himself. At the age of 18, she worked as a kitchen-maid in the service of Madame de La Choue. In 1817, at the age of 24, Jeanne left her little town of Cancale for St. Servan to work in the Hospital of Le Rosais. For about 6 yrs, Jeanne attended with devotion the 300 sick who were crowded in there, with thirty-five foundling children. She learned how to prepare herbal remedies and spent herself caring for the sick. Jeanne even consecrated her free moments to apostolic initiatives; it was in this way that she took a male nurse aside and taught him the catechism. A short time later, she became a member of the Third Order of the Heart of the Admirable Mother founded by St. Jean Eudes. Everything in it is based on Baptism. They strove to enter into communion of thought, sentiments and/or intentions with the Heart of Christ and that of His Mother, which together make but one Heart. Jeanne, exhausted, was taken in by Mlle. Lecoq (20 yrs her senior) who helped her back to health…Jeanne was not only a servant to her, but a friend. In 1835, Mlle. Lecoq died. In 1837, Jeanne Jugan rented a small 2 room flat in St. Servan and lived there with Franchon Aubert, who was 26 yrs her senior. In 1838, a young girl of 17, Virginie Tredaniel, joined them. Together, all 3 led a common life of prayer and service to others. When Jeanne was 47 yrs old, she, aware of the destitution that surrounded her, and moved by the desperate plight of a poor, blind, paralyzed old woman, responded to the call of God. She brought Anne Chauvin to her home and settled her in her own bed while she slept upstairs in the attic. As soon as more elderly came seeking a Home, the little community increased as well. On October 1840 at a meeting between Father Le Pailleur (the
curate of St. Servan and spiritual
director of Virginie Tredaniel and Marie Jamet), “Give, give us this house, if God fills it, God will not abandon it.” Jeanne goes out begging to provide for the poor… “Divine Providence gave a very powerful support to her
work in the tradition of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of
God.” They gave Jeanne her Jeanne Jugan looked to St. Joseph to help her provide for the needs of the aged, just as he provided for Jesus and Mary in Nazareth In 1842 Jeanne is unanimously elected Superior of the little association. They adopt the name “Servants of the Poor” and begin to make vows. “To the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, Jeanne Jugan also owes the Vow of Hospitality; by which the service of the Aged Poor is raised to the dignity of an act of the virtue of religion.” La Maison de la Croix On December 8, 1843 Jeanne Jugan is re-elected Superior of the “Servants of the Poor.” On December 23rd Fr. Le Pailleur, on his own authority (as he later declares) quashes the election and chooses Marie Jamet, age 23, to replace Jeanne, age 51. In February 1844 the “Servants of the Poor” change their names to “Sisters of the Poor” and take religious names. Jeanne Jugan becomes… Sister Mary of the Cross. In Autumn 1845 the French Academy awards “Miss Jeanne Jugan” with the Montyon Prize for Outstanding meritorious activity. This award is widely reported to the national and local press. More Foundations… In 1852 at 60 yrs of age and in full activity, Jeanne Jugan is called to the Mother-House. She begins her long retirement there, among the novices and postulants. La Tour St. Joseph… Saint-Pern “Little, very little, be very little before God” For 27 years, Jeanne Jugan will transmit her charism to the future generations of Little Sisters. She would tell the Novices… “To
be a good Little Sister, one must love God “Never forget that the Poor are our
Lord. “It is so beautiful to be poor, to
have nothing, On March 1, 1879, Pope Leo XIII approves the constitutions of the Little Sisters of the Poor On August 29, 1879 Jeanne Jugan dies at La Tour St. Joseph. And like the grain of wheat which falls to the earth and dies…The Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor in its missionary dimension grows, and reaches to the ends of the earth. References… Welcome | Mission & History | Introduction | Our Logo | Art of Accompaniment | Jeanne Jugan | Sayings of Jeanne Jugan | Our Spirituality | Vow of Hospitality | Expansion of the Congregation | Little Sisters in the USA
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