“Good morning, St. Jeanne Jugan!Happy Feast Day!
Today, August 30th is the second official celebration of your feast since your canonization on October 11, 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome. How does it make you feel? Are you looking around heaven and wondering why all these celebrations are going on in your honor on Earth today? Those of us who love you here at Jugan Terrace, where I live, and at St. Mary’s Home will honor you with a festive Mass and a special lunch. There will be other activities also during the day. We are very proud to call you our special Saint.
I have been trying to honor you and imitate you on a daily basis as well. You keep giving me new insight that helps me grow spiritually. For instance, I’ve had a difficult summer. Back in March I broke my shoulder; then in May I had my eye operated on, and now in August, I had a hernia repair—all part of life at 84.
So I’ve been setting here and praying a lot both for myself and for many who ask my prayers. I’ve been thinking about how you once said that the “Hail Mary” would get us to heaven. You prayed that prayer for everything. When you wanted to thank someone for a gift, you prayed the Hail Mary of them. When you wanted to ask help for someone, you prayed the Hail Mary of him or her. I have begun to do so myself. I pray the Hail Mary to ask Our Lady for help, for blessings, in gratitude and I ask you, St. Jeanne, to join your intercession to mine. I know you do.
Perhaps the best gift I can give you on this, your feast day, is sharing this insight with those who read this blog. Pray the Hail Mary as St. Jeanne Jugan did in all your needs, and ask St. Jeanne to join her intercession to yours!
St. Jeanne Jugan, in this hour, show thy power!
Joan Thiry is also author of the children’s book We’ll Ring in God’s Name, which is available through the Publications Office of the Little Sisters of the Poor.
Happy Feast Day, Saint Jeanne Jugan!