The Little Sisters of the Poor began with a simple act of love in 1839 in Saint-Servan, France. Jeanne Jugan, a devout laywoman born in 1792 in Cancale, Brittany, opened her heart and her humble home to a blind, elderly woman in need—Anne Chauvin. This moment marked the beginning of a mission that would span the globe.
Jeanne had spent her life in service, first as a kitchen maid, then in hospital care, and later as a member of the Third Order of Saint John Eudes. Her deep faith and unwavering belief that every elderly person deserves dignity and care laid the foundation for a new religious congregation: the Little Sisters of the Poor. By 1850, over 100 women had joined her cause. Today, Jeanne Jugan is honoured as Saint Jeanne Jugan, canonised in 2009.
The first home outside France was established in London in 1851, followed by communities across Europe, North Africa, and North America. The Little Sisters expanded to Calcutta, India in 1882—their first truly missionary foundation—and have continued reaching new frontiers ever since.
Today, Little Sisters care for the elderly poor in 32 countries across six continents, including:
Europe: France, England, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Malta
Africa: Algeria, Benin, Congo, Kenya, Nigeria
Asia: India, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Turkey
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Western Samoa
North America: United States, Canada
South America: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru
The Province of Oceania took shape with the Sisters’ arrival in Noumea, New Caledonia in 1897. Further foundations followed in Dunedin (1904), Perth (1920), Adelaide (1912), Hastings and Drummoyne (1956), Kalgoorlie (1969), and Western Samoa (1971). Due to fewer Little Sisters, some Homes are now owned and managed by other organisations.
The Little Sisters arrived in Melbourne, Australia in 1884, followed by Sydney in 1886, where they opened a home in Leichhardt. The diverse founding group included Sisters from France, England, Ireland, and America, reflecting the global spirit of the Congregation from the very beginning.
In the years that followed, the Sisters expanded throughout the region:
New Zealand (Auckland, 1888; Dunedin, 1904)
New Caledonia (Nouméa, 1897)
Australia (Adelaide, 1912; Perth, 1920; Kalgoorlie, 1969; Drummoyne & Hastings, 1956)
Western Samoa (Apia, 1971)
While some homes have since transitioned to other care providers due to fewer vocations, the spirit of Saint Jeanne Jugan continues to guide our mission throughout Oceania.
The first truly missionary foundation was made in Calcutta, India in 1882. Our newest homes have been founded in the last decade in India, Peru and the Philippines.
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