Saint Jeanne Jugan

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Saint Jeanne Jugan
Feast Day	August 30
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Elderly, poor
Birthplace	Cancale, France
Death Place	Saint-Pern, France
Cause of Death	Natural causes
Primary Shrine	Motherhouse of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Saint-Pern, France

Saint Jeanne Jugan (October 25, 1792 – August 29, 1879) was a French saint and founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor, dedicated to serving the elderly poor. Born in Cancale, France, she worked as a servant before establishing her congregation in 1839 in Saint-Malo, guided by the Diocese of Rennes. Her humility and charity inspired a global network of homes for the destitute, earning her widespread devotion. Canonized in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI, her feast day on August 30 in the Roman Rite honors her legacy, with relics venerated in the Motherhouse in Saint-Pern.

Saint Jeanne’s life of selflessness, despite being sidelined by her own order for a time, exemplified Christian sacrifice. Her work continues to influence elderly care, and her intercession is sought by the poor and caregivers, with her shrine a pilgrimage site.

Biography

Birth

Saint Jeanne Jugan was born on October 25, 1792, in Cancale, France, to a fishing family during the French Revolution. Her birthplace, a coastal village under the Diocese of Rennes, was marked by economic hardship and religious suppression. France’s turbulent era shaped her resilience.

Baptized in the local Parish, Jeanne grew up with a strong faith, influenced by her mother’s piety. Her early life prepared her for a vocation of service to the poor.

Early Life

Growing up in Cancale, Saint Jeanne worked as a shepherdess and maid to support her family after her father’s death. Educated minimally, she developed a deep prayer life, inspired by Vincentian spirituality. Her charity emerged early, as she aided local poor families.

At 25, she moved to Saint-Malo, working as a nurse and servant. Her encounters with the elderly poor, supported by the Diocese of Saint-Malo, inspired her to found a religious order.

Occupation

Saint Jeanne’s primary occupation was as a domestic servant, working in homes and hospitals in Saint-Malo. Her labor supported her family and the poor, guided by the Diocese of Rennes. She also served as a nurse, caring for the sick during epidemics.

After founding the Little Sisters, her “occupation” became religious leadership, begging for alms and managing homes for the elderly. Her work reflected the Roman Rite’s call to serve the least.

Vocation

Saint Jeanne’s vocation was realized with the founding of the Little Sisters of the Poor in 1839 in Saint-Malo. She took in an elderly blind woman, sparking her mission, and took vows in 1842, approved by the Diocese of Rennes. Her congregation grew, establishing homes across France.

Despite being removed from leadership, she lived humbly among her sisters, embodying Christian sacrifice. Her vocation inspired global outreach, earning her sainthood.

Death

Saint Jeanne Jugan met her end on August 29, 1879, dying of natural causes in Saint-Pern, France, at age 86. Living in obscurity at the Motherhouse, she passed peacefully, surrounded by her sisters. Her death was mourned by the Diocese of Rennes.

Her funeral drew the poor she served, and miracles were reported at her tomb. Her relics remain in Saint-Pern, a pilgrimage site for the elderly and caregivers.

Significant events

• Founded the Little Sisters of the Poor in 1839.
• Took religious vows in 1842.
• Beatified in 1982.
• Canonized in 2009.

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Cancale, France
• Death location: Saint-Pern, France
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Parishes

Saint Jeanne Jugan
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Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize Saint Jeanne as a Servant of God began in 1970 in the Diocese of Rennes, with investigations into her life and writings. Testimonies affirmed her humility and charity.

Venerable

Declared Venerable by Pope John Paul II on July 13, 1979, for her heroic virtue. The Diocese of Rennes’s findings, supported by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, highlighted her service to the poor.

Beatification

Beatified on October 3, 1982, by Pope John Paul II after the confirmation of a miracle involving the healing of a cancer patient in France. The Roman Rite ceremony in Rome allowed veneration in France and her order.

Canonization

Canonized on October 11, 2009, by Pope Benedict XVI following a second miracle, the recovery of a comatose woman in the United States. The Roman Rite ceremony in Rome established her universal veneration, with her feast day set for August 30.

Miracles

Miracle for beatification

In 1981, a cancer patient in France, deemed terminal, was healed after prayers to Saint Jeanne. The patient, under the Little Sisters’ care, recovered fully, a cure verified by physicians and the Diocese of Rennes. This miracle was pivotal for her beatification.

The case was scrutinized by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, confirming its inexplicability. It strengthened devotion to Saint Jeanne among the poor.

Miracle for canonization

In 2008, a comatose woman in the United States recovered after a novena to Saint Jeanne. The woman, expected to die, regained consciousness, a cure documented by the Diocese of Baltimore and approved by Pope Benedict XVI.

This miracle solidified Saint Jeanne’s global appeal, with the Roman Rite recognizing her intercessory power. It spurred devotion in the Americas.

Other notable miracles

• Healing of an elderly man with tuberculosis in Saint-Malo.
• Protection of a Little Sisters’ home during a storm in France.

Patronage

Saint Jeanne Jugan is the patron saint of the elderly and the poor.

Feast day

Her feast day is celebrated on August 30 in the Roman Rite, honoring her life and mission.

Veneration

Saint Jeanne is venerated through novenas, pilgrimages to her relics in the Motherhouse in Saint-Pern, and devotion among the Little Sisters of the Poor. Her relics, including bones, are revered. She is depicted in art with a religious habit and rosary, notably in French churches. Her life influences elderly care and Christian charity.

Books

Written about the saint

• Saint Jeanne Jugan: Foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor
• Saints of France by TAN Books

Written by the saint

• No known writings attributed to Saint Jeanne Jugan.

External links

• CatholicSaints.Info: Saint Jeanne Jugan
• Catholic.org: St. Jeanne Jugan
• MyCatholic.Life: Saint Jeanne Jugan