LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR

The Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor (Official Catholic Directory #2340) was founded in 1839 at St. Servan, Brittany, France, by Jeanne jugan. The spirit of the Congregation is that of humility, evangelical simplicity, and confidence in Divine Providence. Its apostolate is the care of the elderly poor.

Jeanne Jugan, a 47-year-old Cancalaise woman, founded the Congregation some time during the winter of 1839 when she opened her small St. Servan apartment to an elderly, blind, paralyzed woman who had no one to care for her. Jeanne and Françoise Aubert, a pious woman with whom she shared her apartment, soon welcomed a second woman; by 1843 there were forty old women under their care, and the group had moved to larger accommodations. Three young women came to help with the work, and they were aided materially by sympathetic persons in the community. In 1841 Jeanne herself began the practice of going from town-to-town and door-to-door to beg alms for her poor. In 1842 Jeanne Jugan was elected superior of the young community, which adopted the name "Servants of the Poor." This name changed to "Sisters of the Poor" in 1844, and then "Little Sisters of the Poor" in 1849.

As the community grew, the work quickly spread to other towns and cities in France and beyond. Formal diocesan approbation was given by the bishop of Rennes in 1852, and papal approbation was accorded by Pope Pius IX on July 9, 1854. At that time the Congregation numbered 500 Little Sisters and 36 houses, including foundations in England and Belgium. The motherhouse was established at La Tour St. Joseph, in the village of St. Pern, in 1856. The Constitutions of the Congregation were approved by Pope Leo XIII on March 1, 1879. Jeanne Jugan died at La Tour St. Joseph on August 29 of the same year. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Rome on Oct. 3, 1982.

The first American foundation of the Congregation was made in Brooklyn, New York, in 1868. Within four years, thirteen homes were established in the United States. At the end of the 20th century, there were more than 30 homes in North America. Worldwide, there were about 3,600 Little Sisters caring for the elderly in 30 countries in addition to the United States: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Benin, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Congo, England, France, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Turkey, and Western Samoa.

The Little Sisters practice the three traditional vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, and a special fourth vow of hospitality, by which they devote their lives solely to the care of the aged poor. An association of consecrated lay women, known as the Fraternity Jeanne Jugan, was begun in 1958 for those who wished to collaborate closely with the Little Sisters in their apostolate while retaining their lay status. This collaboration with the laity was expanded in 1998, with the approbation of statutes for a new initiative, the Association Jeanne Jugan, which offers to lay men and women the opportunity of sharing in the spirit and apostolate of the Little Sisters of the Poor and of deepening their Christian faith.

The Congregation is governed by a Superior General and a Council of six Assistants General. Each of the 20 provinces is governed by a Provincial Superior, in close collaboration with the Superior General and her Council. Provincial houses for the United States are located in Queens Village, NY, Baltimore, MD, and Palatine, IL.

[c. carolyn]