This month we look back at many October milestones in the history of the Little Sisters of the Poor:
- October 25, 1792 - 225 years ago, it all began with the birth of Jeanne Jugan, who went on to become foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor.
- October 15, 1840 - Jeanne, together with two young women who had joined in her work, formed an association and adopted a way of life.
- October 3, 1982 - Pope John Paul II beatified Jeanne Jugan.
- October 11, 2009 - Jeanne is canonized by Pope Benedict XVI, becoming Saint Jeanne Jugan.
As we honor the history of our foundress this month, we also celebrate a local milestone, the arrival of the first Little Sisters of the Poor in Virginia on October 13, 1874. It was on that day that six Little Sisters arrived here to begin caring for Virginia’s elderly poor in the spirit of their foundress, Jeanne Jugan. That was the first day of a legacy that has now spanned 143 years!
