Seeing the World Through NEW Windows

Saint Jeanne Jugan was born during the French Revolution. Her father was lost at sea when she was 4 years old. As a young woman she left home to work in a local hospital. For many years she lived in a small apartment and led a quiet life of piety and good works.

Then one night in the winter of 1839 – we don’t know the exact date – she could not resist the sight of a blind, paralyzed old woman out in the cold with no one to care for her. Jeanne carried the old woman home and placed her in her own bed. From that night on, Jeanne Jugan gave her life to God and to the elderly of the whole world!

The work developed quickly. More old women were brought to her doorstep. A group of young women came to help Jeanne; together they cared for the elderly as if they were their own grandmothers. Giving the best place to the old women, they slept on the attic floor.

By 1841 the “family” of old women and their caregivers outgrew the small apartment and moved into a larger house.

The little group of pious women began to take the form of a religious community, calling themselves the Servants of the Poor. Jeanne was elected superior. In 1844 the group changed their name to Sisters of the Poor to better reflect their desire to be sisters to the elderly in the Lord’s name. In 1849 the popular name Little Sisters of the Poor was definitively adopted.

The motherhouse and novitiate were established in 1852. Jeanne Jugan was sent into retirement; she later moved to the motherhouse, where she remained for the rest of her life.

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In 1868, the Little Sisters established the first U.S. Homes.  Father Earnest Lelievre, a priest who dedicated his life to this young Congregation, sailed to America in May, 1868.  A mere 8 months later, the first Home of the Little Sisters was opened in Louisville, Kentucky.  This Home at 622 South 10^th Street was in operation from 1869 through 1977.  The Home was finally closed due to severe structural problems.  The Little Sisters were sorely missed in the Louisville community and with an outpouring of love, a group formed to raise funds to build a new Home and bring the Little Sisters back.  The current Home was built in 1991 and the Little Sisters returned to Louisville; where they have cared for over 6000 of the areas Elderly poor.