Philadelphia Stories

How privileged we are as Little Sisters of the Poor
to serve Christ in the person of our Elderly
By Sister Amy Elizabeth, lsp

"Then I, the King will say to those on his right, Come blessed of my Father into the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me; thirsty and you gave me water;  I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me."

Then the righteous one will reply, “Sir, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you anything to drink? Or a stranger and help you? Or naked and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?"

And I, the King will tell them “When you did it to these my brothers you were doing it for me!”                                               
Mathew 25: 34-41

How privileged we are as Little Sisters of the Poor, to have the opportunity day in and day out, to serve Christ in the person of our seniors.  Our Mother Foundress took Jesus’ words seriously and applied them in her daily life. She spoke little about herself or her endeavors, but her works of mercy spoke volumes. This is the example that is bequeathed to each of us, her daughters.

No matter what country, state or home we live in, we unite with our Residents and employees to form one large family. Many though we are, we remain vigilant to always recognize each Resident as the unique individual God created in His image and likeness; and we strive to love them with Christ’s own love. Living in the same house facilitates our availability to serve them night and day.

Their needs may vary from physical, psychological, emotional or spiritual, but love is the universal medicine and treatment of choice. The opportunities to manifest “His” love are limitless;  a smile, a hug, sitting down to chat with them, praying with them and for them, accompanying them to an appointment,  clipping their nails, feeding someone with Alzheimer’s Disease, giving a whirlpool bath, visiting them in the hospital, entertaining them at parties ,etc.. The Sisters and staff do all they can to emphasize the Resident’s strengths and not their weaknesses and try to be ingenious to keep them included in the mainstream of the homes daily activities.

The good days and bad days, the joys and sorrows, intertwine all along the journey leading back to the Father’s arms which is the culmination of our apostolate. I am so proud to be a daughter of Blessed Jeanne Jugan and for the grace of discretely continuing her legacy into the 22nd century.

I know I have received far more from the Residents, than I have given over the past 28 years and pray that I will have many more years to be the instrument of God’s love.

“When you are near the poor, give yourself wholeheartedly.”
- Jeanne Jugan

Like Blessed Jeanne Jugan, the majority of little sisters will escape the public eye and remain discrete witnesses of the kingdom.