Jeanne Jugan was a 19th-century French religious sister who dedicated her life to serving the most destitute elderly. Born in Cancale in 1792, she grew up amidst the religious instability of the French Revolution. After working as a nurse and a domestic servant, she established a community focused on providing care for abandoned seniors. This mission led to the creation of the Little Sisters of the Poor, a religious congregation that expanded globally to support the elderly. She was canonized by the Catholic Church in 2009.
Life and mission
Following her childhood in Brittany, Jugan began a life of service, eventually forming a small prayer community. In 1839, she began caring for a blind, paralyzed woman, which sparked her specific focus on the aged. She founded the Little Sisters of the Poor to provide housing and necessities for the needy. Although she was later removed from leadership and lived in obscurity for many years, her congregation grew to include thousands of members across Europe and North America.
Veneration and legacy
The Catholic Church recognized her holiness through beatification in 1982 and canonization in 2009. She is commemorated on August 30. Her legacy continues through the international work of her congregation, which provides care for the elderly worldwide. Pilgrims visit sites associated with her life in Brittany, including her birthplace and the motherhouse where she spent her final years.