Another novel Novena leading us up to the “Feast of our Mother, St. Jeanne Jugan, 2026” found a daily assembly of Residents from the apartments and St. Joseph’s Unit in their respective dining rooms, right after Evening Prayer. Each evening, one of eight different Little Sisters took her turn explaining one of the large first-floor hallway placards, which were enlarged and projected for all to see. On Day 9 of the Novena, the St. Joseph Unit and apartment Residents together joined the Little Sisters in the Father Ernest Center for a powerful PowerPoint presentation on the life of Jeanne Jugan. This final presentation beautifully summarized the eight distinct perspectives shared on the preceding evenings. Throughout these days of preparation, Residents attended in great numbers, praying St. Jeanne Jugan’s novena prayer alongside the Little Sisters with renewed fervor.
Because August 30th fell on a Sunday this year, we received permission from Rome for the Solemnity of St. Jeanne Jugan to take precedence over the Sunday Liturgy. It was celebrated with reverent enthusiasm by our chaplain, Father James Sullivan, and a grateful assembly of Residents, Little Sisters, Jeanne Jugan Associates, families, and friends. In his homily, Father Sullivan invited us to look to our recently deceased Mary Frances Cantwell, AJJ, as an inspiring example of an Associate who faithfully lived a life of humble service in the footsteps of St. Jeanne Jugan for over 64 years.
In the afternoon, Residents and Little Sisters gathered once again for an exciting game show: “Holy Family Feud.” The Residents responded triumphantly to questions about St. Jeanne Jugan, showing great pride in how much they had retained from the novena presentations. Ultimately, both sides emerged as winners!
The grand prize—a Mister Softee truck—was parked right outside. Everyone, including our dedicated staff, went out to order their favorite flavors of soft-serve ice cream.
All agreed that this novena, highlighting the life of St. Jeanne Jugan, was a deeply meaningful way to unite our Little Family in gratitude to God for the life and legacy of our beloved foundress.
