A Mission of Consecrated Hospitality

The Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor was born in France on a winter evening in 1839, when Jeanne Jugan opened her home to Jesus Christ in the person of an elderly, poor, blind woman.

As she carried the homeless and destitute Anne Chauvin up the steep stairs to her own flat and laid her in her own bed, Jeanne began a journey which would take her across France and then, through her daughters, to the ends of the earth.

Today, the Little Sisters of the Poor offer hospitality to the needy aged in 31 countries around the world. There are three homes in Australia, two in New Zealand, one in Samoa and one New Caledonia.

We live this mission by journeying together in united, international communities where we find our treasure in: JESUS in the Eucharist, in each other and in the elderly person. A life of prayer unites all into one contemplative action – and this is sealed by our fourth vow of hospitality

The summit of our hospitaller mission is to accompany the elderly person to the door of eternity. When death is imminent we take turns to stay at their bedside day and night. They are not left alone.

Our presence is one of quiet prayer, accompanying them until they place their life into the hands of the One from whom they received the gift of life.

At this moment of life, we continue to witness to the primacy of eternal values and respect for life, of which God alone is the Master.