Founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor
St. Jeanne Jugan, born in 1792, was a French woman who dedicated her life to the neediest of the elderly poor. Her service resulted in the establishment of the Little Sisters of the Poor, who care for the indigent aged throughout the world. By 1879, the year she died, the community she founded had 2,400 Little Sisters. Currently, there are more than 2,200 Little Sisters in 31 countries. She was canonized October 13, 2009. Her feast day is August 30.
St. Jeanne Jugan:
“Be kind, especially with the infirm. Love them well . . . Oh yes! Be kind. It is a great grace God is giving you. In serving the aged, it is he himself who you are serving.”
© 2016 Little Sisters of the Poor. All Rights Reserved.
Timeline History of the St. Augustine Home and Guild
1872 — Bishop of Vincennes, Indiana invites Little Sisters of the Poor to Indianapolis
1873 — Little Sisters of the Poor welcome their first Resident into a house on Kentucky Avenue
1873 — A new home on Vermont Street is blessed under the patronage of St. Augustine
1879 — Home enlarged to accommodate 60 female Residents
1889 — Second wing built for elderly men
1893 — New chapel built and dedicated
1902 — Land acquired for further expansion at the site, expansions occurred in 1903 and 1915
1962 — Fundraising begins for a new home on 86th Street
1967 — St. Augustine Guild founded
1967 — More than 18,000 individuals/groups supply financial aid, materials and time to bring Residents to the new, debt free home
1968 — The new St. Augustine Home for the Aged is dedicated
1968 — First Spring Luncheon — Mrs. John Heidt hosted luncheon at her home
1968 — First Fundraising Luncheon. Fall Fashion Extravaganza Show was held in Lanagan Hall. Fashions from Stenzdale’s were featured.
1970 — Guild members modeled furs from Charles Anger and Son at Meridian Hills Country Club. Helped fund Christmas party for the residents of the home.
1973 — Little Sisters of the Poor celebrate 100 years in Indianapolis
1973 — “One Hundred Springs” a champagne tea and style show in Lanagan Hall. Fashions from Damozel was held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of establishment of Little Sister of Poor in Indianapolis
1979 — First annual Christmas Bazaar featuring needlecraft items.
1987 — Renovation of St. Augustine Home for the Aged on west 86th Street
1990 — Little Sisters of the Poor celebrate their 150th anniversary
2005 — Guild members voted to name annual spring luncheon and fashion show “Hats Off to Spring” (HOTS)
2007 — Guild celebrates 40 years with special memorial booklet
2009 — St. Jeanne Jugan is canonized on October 13th.
2012 — Carmel Palladium presents “Work Which is Still Unknown: the Life and Ministry of St. Jeanne Jugan,” written by Guild member Lorita Doucette and her husband, Martin
2015 — Centers for Medicare and Medicaid rates St. Augustine Home as a 5-star quality home
2016 — Little Sisters of the Poor receive the University of Notre Dame Evangelium Vitae Medal
2016 — Supreme Court issues decision on HHS Mandate Case protecting Little Sisters of the Poor
2017 — Celebration of 50th Anniversary of the St. Augustine Guild
2018 — Little Sisters of the Poor kicked off a jubilee year on August 30th marking the 150th anniversary of their community’s arrival in the United States
2020 — St. Augustine Home Guild applies for 501(c)(3) status with the IRS