What does St. Jeanne Jugan mean to me?

Mavis Mintah, C.N.A. and Resident Paul Scherer with Leon Brune’s design of St. Jeanne Jugan. 

Today’s celebration of the feast of St. Jeanne Jugan was the culmination of a month long effort to answer the question –“What does St. Jeanne Jugan mean to me?”

Early in the month of August, a small poster was placed in all the areas in the house. It invited Residents, staff, volunteers, AJJ and anyone else who wanted to participate, to consider what Jeanne Jugan means to them. Along with the poster, a half sheet of paper on which to write the response to the above mentioned question was provided. It could be signed or anonymous.

Discussions and sharing took place in the different areas and all were invited to place their thoughts in a small ‘begging’ basket placed in the lobby in front of a large picture of Jeanne Jugan. It was promised that selections would be made and that some of the thoughts would be printed in the Sunday bulletin. Likewise, throughout the month, an on- going account of the life of ‘our’ saint and the process of canonization was printed.

This particular picture is different than most we see as it appears to be a soft pencil sketch based on the portrait by Leon Brune. It is usually located in the medical hallway. Because of its placement in the lobby, many stopped to admire it including visitors and family members as well as the Residents and staff. Each day the basket was checked and the small sheets of paper started to come at a steady rate. It was moving to read some of the thoughts on Jeanne Jugan. Some of these were submitted by staff whose first language is not English and it was clear to see the effort each one made to express their feelings. Below you will see a listing of all the special thoughts.

One day as the feast drew close, our chaplain Fr. Mike asked what was being done with the papers after being used for the bulletin. He had a unique idea and today during the homily at Mass we all found out what it was. Father began the homily by saying that for 12 years he has been telling us about Jeanne Jugan – today it would be different. Beginning by saying that the saints are like diamonds and reflect the light of Christ in many unique ways, he continued to explain that like viewing a diamond, the brilliance is different according to an indivdual’sperspective of the gem. He then went on to share with us the perspective of so many seated in the Chapel and working in the Home. All present were moved and enriched by hearing these precious thoughts on St. Jeanne Jugan.

In the afternoon, after a brief nap brought on by a feast day meal, the Residents gathered with the Little Sisters for an interesting game of ‘Jugan Bingo.’ Instead of a BINGO – the players had to get a JUGAN. Instead of numbers – dates, objects, names, places and words relating to Jeanne Jugan were called. Between calls, an explanation was given explaining the topic- for example: Oct.11,2009 the date of the canonization or 1868 – the arrival of the Little Sisters in the United States. The Residents were interested in hearing these explanations and even more so to receive the winnings for calling out “JUGAN!” Root beer floats were served at the conclusion of the game and several stayed to chat about the day’s events. Truly, all seemed to enjoy the feast. We hope St, Jeanne Jugan was pleased with our efforts to make the Residents happy!

• “St. Jeanne Jugan shows us an example of having complete trust in Divine Providence and gratitude for the gifts of Divine Providence. She is also a model of how to treat our neighbor,” Paul Scherer, resident.

• “Jeanne Jugan shows us how to be humble and grateful. She shows us how to love the elderly as Christ loves. Love doesn’t cost too much – it’s priceless!” Mavis Mintah, employee.

• “I admire her and am grateful to her for starting these homes. I pray to her daily to watch over the Little Sisters,” Fran Thomas, resident.

• “Jeanne Jugan shows me how to be humble with all – not just the elderly. To show respect and understanding from your heart,” H.M., staff.

• “I admire Jeanne Jugan for the way she took care of people. I try to look out for other at my table like she would. Because of her, I have a nice place to live,” Laverne Barnard, resident.

• “St. Jeanne Jugan is for me a shining example of pure humility, not only in her great love and care for the elderly poor, but in her great silence for so many years; not being able to claim the founding of the of the Little Sisters of the Poor. She lived a life of tremendous sacrifice and through it all could say, ‘Blessed Be God’.” BJD

• “Jeanne Jugan gives this place the feeling of a family. I feel like this is my home,” Anna Maria Gonzales, staff.

• “Jeanne Jugan is a good spiritual guide and an example in helping the elderly. Like her, I love making the Residents happy,” Angie Segura.

• “St. Jeanne Jugan is like the grain that was sowed and died so as to bear great fruit – that would be the homes of the Little Sisters all over the world. Her seeds – rooted deeply were shown by a profound humility lived at the foot of the cross,” Veronica Lee, Jugan Terrace resident.

• “I am grateful that Jeanne Jugan gave her life to care for the elderly poor. Because of this…my Mom’s life was touched and had a beautiful ending her at St. Mary’s,” Patricia Landini, A.J.J.

• “St. Jeanne Jugan means the world to me,” anonymous.

• “What does Jeanne Jugan mean to me? Courage, tenacity and self-sacrifice,” anonymous

• “St. Jeanne Jugan – Sr. Mary of the Cross has sown the seeds of care, respect, kindness and love for her residents. She sowed the seeds; the sisters are the flowers in God’s garden. The same care- yesterday, today and tomorrow,” anonymous.

• “Jeanne Jugan inspires me to give love and respect to the Residents. They give me love too. But the most important is to love them!” Lourdes Romero, staff.

• “Jeanne Jugan was a humble and caring person towards the elderly. She went out of her way to help them when they were sick and gave them a place to stay,” Maribel Huerta.

• “St. Jeanne Jugan means love, kindness, respect and honor to the elderly – our sisters and brothers in Christ,” Sara Lozada, staff.

• “St. Jeanne Jugan means – true patience and compassionate caring,” Shonie Lintag, staff.

• Dedication – she faced many trials and often times disapproval, with complete dedication to her faith and mission in life. That courage and strength is something every person no matter what faith or background, can admire and hopefully aspire to,” Sarah Zhang, staff.

• “Because of her we have a good place to live. My daughter, Sr. Emma, found a home and her vocation with Jeanne Jugan.She was a true servant of the poor and the aged. That’s why she is a saint!” Ralph Doffin, resident.

• “For me Jeanne Jugan means to say- ‘the Hail Mary will take us to heaven’ my children, you love our lady! She will be your mother.’ ‘We must always say blessed be God. Thank you, my God”. C.W.C.G.

• “Jeanne Jugan is my ideal, my inspiration, my intercessor and my Mother,” a Little Sister.

• “For me, Jeanne Jugan is the personification of the ‘greatest commandment’ –‘love your neighbor as yourself’,” M.R.