Jeanne Jugan

Jeanne Jugan, later known in religious life as Sr. Mary of the Cross, was born on 25 October 1792 in Cancale, France. The daughter of a sailor who was lost at sea when she was just four years old, Jeanne grew up in modest circumstances. From a young age, she worked as a kitchen maid to help her widowed mother support the family.

As a young woman, she moved to Saint-Servan, where she served as a nurse’s aide at Le Rosais Hospital. Declining offers of marriage, she dedicated her life entirely to God and to the service of the poor, especially the elderly and destitute.

The Founding of a Mission

In 1839, on a bitterly cold winter evening, an elderly blind and semi-paralysed woman knocked at Jeanne’s door. Without hesitation, Jeanne offered her shelter—and even gave up her own bed. This simple yet profound act of charity became the foundation of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Beginning with Jeanne and three companions, the congregation expanded rapidly. What started as a small act of kindness grew into an international religious order dedicated to caring for the elderly poor. Today, the Little Sisters serve in over 30 countries, providing free and compassionate care to people of all backgrounds, castes, and religions.

A Life of Humility and Faith

Though she founded a global mission, Jeanne Jugan’s own life was marked by humility and obscurity. She faced misunderstanding and neglect within her own lifetime but remained steadfast in her faith, continuing to serve quietly and lovingly.

Her guiding principle was simple yet powerful: to serve Christ in the poorest and weakest members of society. She believed that every elderly person deserved dignity, comfort, and love in the final years of life.

Canonization and Enduring Legacy

Jeanne Jugan passed away on 29 August 1879, leaving behind a legacy of extraordinary compassion. Her life of silent sacrifice and unwavering charity led to her canonization by the Catholic Church, recognizing her as a model of sanctity and selfless service.

Her spirit continues to live on through the work of the Little Sisters of the Poor, whose Homes for the Aged across the world stand as living monuments to her vision of love, dignity, and care for the elderly poor.

In honour of her remarkable life and enduring humanitarian mission, the Department of Posts has issued commemorative postage stamps celebrating Jeanne Jugan and her noble legacy.