A Saint for old age and every age
Jeanne Jugan gave herself entirely to God and the elderly poor. As our aging population continues to grow and dignity at the end of life is increasingly threatened, Jeanne Jugan offers herself as a friend and patron of the elderly. She is a Saint for old age.
Jeanne Jugan was not canonized because she founded a religious congregation, because her work has spread all over the world, or even because the elderly need a friend today more than ever. She was declared a saint because she practiced heroic virtue.
In speaking of the saints Pope Benedict XVI said that ‘heroic virtue does not mean that the saint performs a type of “gymnastics” of holiness, something that normal people do not dare to do. It means rather that in the life of a person God’s presence is revealed...’
Heroic virtue means that ‘in one’s life there appear realities which the person has not done themselves, because they have been transparent and ready for the work of God. ‘In other words,’ the Pope said, ‘to be a saint is nothing other than to speak with God as a friend speaks with a friend.’
Jeanne Jugan was holy because she was a friend of God, because she allowed God to work through her to make the world a better place—to make the elderly happy!
The greatest of these is love
Heroes are people we look up to, people we want to be like. Jeanne is a hero in virtue, beginning with the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity.
FAITH throws light on our path and leads us to the truth. Jeanne’s whole life was guided by a living and active faith. It helped her to see God everywhere—in the poor, in her Little Sisters and her superiors, in nature, in events, in prayer and in the depths of her being.
HOPE enables us to trust in God for all of our needs. It gives us the courage to keep going, no matter what happens, because we know that Love awaits us at the end of the journey. Jeanne Jugan had no money. But she had a big heart, common sense and great enthusiasm. She put them at the service of the poor and asked Divine Providence to provide the rest, sure that she would not be disappointed. Faced with huge challenges Jeanne often said, ‘If God is with us, it will be accomplished.’
CHARITY sets us on a joyful path toward God and neighbor. Jeanne often spoke about the love of God. But she did more than talk about it—she lived it by adhering to God’s will and giving herself without reserve, in good times and bad.
It was said of Jeanne Jugan that her charity was ‘heroic,’ that she ‘worked miracles of charity,’ that she ‘had a genius for charity.’
- FAITH enabled Jeanne to see God in the elderly.
- Through HOPE she knew that God would not abandon the poor.
- Through LOVE she gave all she had to the poor, in imitation of Jesus who gave his life for love of us.
- Jeanne is a Saint for every age as she challenges young people to give themselves to God and neighbour.
- She is a role model for those who care for the poor, the sick and the ageing.
- To those who feel anxious in these tough economic times, she offers an invitation to live the Beatitudes, trusting that God will provide.
- She challenges all of us to do everything through love.
| Jeanne Jugan’s Path to Sainthood |
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Celebratory Masses
Whilst St Jeanne Jugan was being canonized in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI on 11 October, a celebratory Mass was being held at St Joseph’s Home for the elderly in our diocese in Harborne. This home is run by the Little sisters of the Poor. Mass was celebrated by Bp Philip Pargeter.
Another Mass was held at St Chad’s on 25 October, celebrated by Bp William Kenney and on 31 October another was held in Westminster Cathedral, celebrated by Archbishop Vincent Nichols.
Other Masses were held in Bristol, Preston, Manchester, Jersey, Leeds, Newcastle, Sunderland, London St Anne’s and London St Peter’s, and in every city/town where there is a home of the Little Sisters of the Poor throughout the whole world.
outside Westminster Cathedral
| Quotes from Homilies |
Bishop Philip, preaching at the Mass in St Joseph’s, Harborne on 11th October, the day of Jeanne Jugan’s canonization said, ‘Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount contains much of his teaching about how Christians should behave… At the beginning of the sermon lie the Beatitudes, an exclamation of congratulations that recognizes those qualities and actions that lead to happiness. Happy are those indeed who put love of the poor first in their lives, who attend to the cries of the mourners and who satisfy with material and spiritual food those who are hungry and who thirst for justice. For poverty of the destitute has a spiritual dimension too and so Our lord commends not only men and women who help those suffering from economic hardship but also give hope to those who cry out for love.’ Recognising Jeanne Jugan’s apostolate Bishop Philip finished with, ‘Today we rejoice that God in his goodness has officially blessed Jeanne Jugan’s apostolate. Her work was not her own: it was God’s. Her courage was not her own: it was Christ’s strength. Boldness and freedom, trust and thanksgiving were the climate of her existence and the secret of her happiness.’
Bishop William in his homily at St Chad’s on 25th October, exhorted us to ‘Do whatever it is God wants you to do. Be whatever he wants you to be. Some are called to be poor, to be needy, to help or to be helped, to be convincing, to be not so certain – all are called to find that holiness that God is offering us and to be with him in the kingdom.’ He went on to say, ‘We are all in need of help at some point in our lives. We begin in utter dependency and we often complete the circle and are dependent again in our old age. What we do and how we do it will be remembered for better or for worse.’ And finally, ‘For Jeanne Jugan, things happened to her and she used them, not to become bitter or self-righteous, but to be that person God wanted her to be. It doesn’t matter what others think about us, that is secondary – yes, it hurts, but it doesn’t matter. We’re not always appreciated and Jeanne Jugan was not at the time but she is now a canonized saint.’
Archbishop Vincent Nichols, preaching at the Mass celebrated in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, 31st October began his homily with some sobering statistics, ‘Numbers of elderly will increase by 25% in 10 years, doubling in dementia in 10 years and the need for care homes will increase by 150%.’ With encouraging words he said, ‘Witness in action is offered today, in routines of parish life and in kindness and neighbourliness, still widespread in so much of this country.’ Of the care homes and hospices he said, ‘Among them are, of course, Homes run by the Little Sisters of the Poor – they are outstanding for their kindness, well run manner and for the spiritual sensitivity, awareness and care which is at their heart.’ Commenting on the hospitality of the Little Sisters Archbishop Vincent said, ‘We cannot understand the work of the Little Sisters without Jeanne Jugan. We cannot understand the true care of the elderly without that deeper insight into her core experiences – of poverty and hard work, her childhood, of catechesis and charity and years of formation in service with her elderly employer teaching catechism to youngsters… All of this formed Sister Mary of the Cross for deeper challenges. Her desire to serve found a strong echo in the hearts of young women.’ Speaking on a personal note Archbishop Vincent offered, ‘I love her advice for us in our weakness: “When your patience and your strength run out and you feel alone, go and find him. Jesus is waiting for you in the Chapel. Say to him, “Jesus, you know exactly what is going on. You are all I have and you know all things. Come to my help.” And then go, and don’t worry about how you are to manage. That you have told God is enough. He has a good memory!” Archbishop Vincent’s closing words were, ‘St Jeanne Jugan teaches us to treasure our elderly, and to support and serve them with love. We thank God today for the Little Sisters of the Poor, for their work, their obedience, their prayer and with confidence we say, Saint Jeanne Jugan, pray for us. Amen.’ |
