Association Jeanne Jugan

A Members Story
Patricia Lo

If you have ever spoken with anyone who has met the Little Sisters of the Poor, you will notice that several common descriptions come up – they are humble, warm, joyful, simple, and caring women of great faith.  Then, as you come to know more about their foundress, Blessed Jeanne Jugan, you’ll come to see that the Sisters are actually carrying on her same spirit. 

Jeanne Jugan was a fisherman’s daughter, who at the age of 40, came upon a sick, elderly blind woman.  Moved with compassion, she carried this poor woman up to her own room and gave her own bed to her.  Soon word spread and Jeanne Jugan was taking in more and more needy elderly.  Other women came to join her in this work, and thus was the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor begun. 

To this day, the Little Sisters of the Poor humbly care for the elderly throughout the world.  Their work is rooted in prayer and great faith, as they place their trust in divine providence to provide for the needs of their elderly residents.  They warmly offer hospitality to those in need and provide a caring and happy home to their residents.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all learn from Blessed Jeanne Jugan and the Little Sisters of the Poor and carry their message of poverty, simplicity, humility, and hospitality to others?

Well, you can do so as a member of the Association Jeanne Jugan (AJJ).

AJJ was established to help lay men and women to:
share in the spiritual riches of the Little Sisters of the Poor,

participate in the Sisters’ apostolic mission of hospitality to the aged poor,

and help spread the charism of their foundress, Blessed Jeanne Jugan.

I have been an AJJ member at Holy Family Home since 2001.  AJJ has offered me the opportunity to grow in my faith, as well as to come to a deeper, more active relationship with the charism, mission, and ministry of the Little Sisters of the Poor.  Our group meets about once a month, and our meetings focus on topics that help us:

• Grow in our Catholic faith
• Learn more about the charism and spirituality of Blessed Jeanne Jugan and the Little Sisters of the Poor
• Provide hands-on service to the elderly, particularly at Holy Family Home

We have had discussions and presentations on topics such as end of life issues, humility, the Eucharist, death and dying, forgiveness, and the role of the laity in the Church.  We have participated in projects such as helping the Sisters at church collections, serving the residents at meal times, and taking the less mobile residents out on trips. 

Our favorite project is planning a themed event for the residents every February, such as an Olympics event, complete with opening ceremony, games, prizes, and a potato race among three teams of Sisters; a circus event, with a magician, acrobats, and clowns; and our most recent was an International Event, with India and Irish dancers, music from around the world, a fashion show with the Sisters “modeling” ethnic costumes, and desserts from different countries.  It is an afternoon filled with lots of fun, laughter, and the closeness of one family.

As laity and members of the one Body of Christ, we are called to grow in holiness and to use our gifts to actively participate in the mission and life of the Church.  I can find no better way of doing so than as a member of Association Jeanne Jugan, spreading God’s message of love through the charism of Blessed Jeanne Jugan and the Little Sisters of the Poor.