The Little Sisters of the Poor strive to make the Residents feel as if they are home. The love they have for their Residents is amazing. The love they have for everyone is amazing.
As part of our 2012 Benedictine College Nun Run, twelve of us stayed with the Little Sisters for four days. Walking in, we felt welcomed and wanted immediately. By day two, we felt like we were part of the Little Sister family. We were brought into their prayer life and their mission.
Sister Maria Catherine left the day after we arrived to go to France to continue her novitiate. Even though we didn’t know her, the Sisters invited us into their celebration of her vocational growth.
Angela Kendrick, junior, said that the Little Sisters’ vow of hospitality was obvious. The community of the Residents stuck with Kendrick. She said, “They all said how much they liked it there, but they said it was because of the Sisters. If they didn’t have the Sisters, it would be very different.” Madeline Armstrong, freshman, said, “There was a lot of love there.” Bethany Orr, freshman, had never been around the elderly very much. She said, “It was fun to be in that environment. It’s not so foreign now.”
Spending time with Residents as well as learning about the charism of Jeanne Jugan and her love of the elderly was inspiring. We have an open invitation to come back anytime, and some of us are planning to return.
Left: Angela and a Resident finish lunch before heading out to the O’Neill brothers annual St. Pat’s Senior Ball Dance at the Redemptorist Center Seniors Club.
Right: Sara and Resident stir up a batch of scrumptious cookies for all to enjoy.
Benedictine College Nun Run Experience at the Little Sisters of the Poor