Little Sisters of the Poor

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 42, 4 November 1925, Page 25

Little Sisters of the Poor

Extensive additions have recently been made to the home for the aged and poor, conducted by the Little Sisters of the Poor, at Anderson’s Bay, and the opening ceremony took place on Sunday afternoon week in the presence of a very large assemblage of those interested in the good work being done by the Sisters. The additions consist of Lvo spacious wings at either end_of the main building and are about 88ft by 35ft, and 80ft by 35ft respectively. The ground floor is to be devoted to kitchens and store rooms, and the first and second floors will be utilised for wards. The architects are Messrs. Mandeno and Fraser, and the contractor for the work Mr. I). O’Connell. Members of the Hibernian Society to the number of over fifty acted as a guard of honor. On the platform, which was profusely decorated with bunting, were their Lordships Dr. Brodie, Bishop of Christchurch, Dr. "Whyte, Bishop of Dunedin, Fathers Delany, Rooney, and Hally (South Dunedin), Father Monaghan (St. Joseph’s Cathedral), and the Rev. Dr. O’Neill (Holy Cross College, Mosgiel); others -of the clergy being also present. His Lordship Dr. Whyte was prseented by Mr. Fraser (of Messrs. Mandeno and Fraser, architects) with a gold key as a souvenir of the ceremonial opening of the new wings. His Lordship Dr. Whyte, who presided, in his introductory remarks at the conclusion of the geremony, said : ' -.Your Lordship, Mr. Mayor, Very Rev. and Rev. Fathers, Ladies, and Gentlemen, — My duties as chairman this afternoon 1 expect to be very light. They will certainly be pleasant. My first duty is to tender a hearty welcome to Dr. Brodie who has made the long journey from Christchurch for the sole purpose of showing his interest in the work of this institution. - His own city is equipped with magnificent Catholic buildings, not only his beautiful cathedral and commodious schools and the famous Lewisham Hospital, but also Mount Magdala and Nazareth House —institutions in which charity of the noblest kind is displayed as it is here. Dr, Brodie will admit that this extensive building would be an additional ornament to the beautiful city of Christchurch. It would gratify our local vanity if I could truthfully assure him that this is a typical Dunedin day. I have great pleasure also in telling his worship the Mayor that lie is" heartily" welcome. As chief citizen of Dunedin, he rejoices, no doubt, to see this grand building abided to the many fine buildings of this city. The purpose which it so nobly serves will appeal strongly to him as his responsible and lofty position imposes upon him the obligation of interesting himself in the welfare of the. needy. We are all glad to have i the Father of the City present this afternoon. f We axe also pleased to have our parliamentary representative here, that he may have first-hand knowledge of such an. important activity as can be witnessed in this

ADDITIONS TO THE HOME AT ANDERSON'S BAY.

Home for the aged poor. Our Catholic charitable institutions are not as well-known as they deserve to be. The same is true of our educational establishments. If New Zealand, which looks to Scotland for many things, would look to it for guidance in matters relating to denominational schools, we would all cry out “Bonnie Scotland for ever.” The large crowd of friends of the Home—whom I see before meare very welcome. The work of the Little Sisters is appreciated by all denominations, and the Good Mother wishes me to say that she and her community are grateful to the people of all classes — rich and poor, Catholic and nonCatholi'cwho make the work here possible. The extensions of the original building which have been made at a cost of nearly £22,000 will greatly increase the accommodation for the old people. The Sisters look to their friends for help to enable them to pay that hug© sum. It will be my pleasant duty later on, as chairman, to tell you when the collectors will be ready to receive your contributions. My more immediate duty, however, is to ask Dr. Brodie to address you. BISHOP BRODIE’S ADDRESS. Addressing the large gathering, his Lordship Dr. Brodie said: Our pleasing outlook, with the waters of Dunedin Harbor before us, carries us in thought to the land where the work of the Little Sisters of the Poor had its beginnings. In Brittany, on the western Coast of France, the people have always been remarkable for their attachment to their faith and for their warmhearted and generous charity. At the time, when, in Paris and the more populous centres, the desecration of the French Revolution had created a- reign of terror and brought about the degradation of womanhood, the shores of Brittany were unmolested, and the excesses that saddened the main centres of population only served to stimulate the warm faith of the Breton peasant. While tending their flocks on the high cliffs they were reminded of the loss of life among the fishermen of the coast, and the spirit of compassion readily offered a place at the hearth and a night’s shelter to those in distress. In Brittany is to be met the type of young woman, of modest demeanor and religious soul from whom the first Little Sisters were, in the designs of God, to be chosen. God in His sweet Providence brought together- three souls, Jeanne Jugan, Marie Janet, and Virginie Tredaniel, all animated with a deep spirit of piety and with a desire to help their neighbors; they were inspired to frame the resolve “to practise all the works of charity within their power, to be kind and gentle to children,. the poor, the sick and infirm, and never to refuse their help when it was needed.” They were soon to be afforded an opportunity of • putting their resolve into practice.

In the winter of the year 1839 a poor old woman, blind, infirm, and destitute appealed for charity; Jeanne Jugan; the eldest of our three heroines of charity, brought the homeless one to her own humble household; she worked long hours to support herself and her infirm guest, till a few months later brought a reward in the form of another homeless woman seeking food and shelter These two guests suggested the wisdom of a conference with the spiritual director, Rev. Abbe Le Pailleux. This conference took place on the Feast of St. Teresa, October 1-5, 1840, and from that day the work of the little community was marked by stability and united effort. Within four years the work had so developed that a hospice had been secured with separate wings for men and women, accommodating the great number of 60 infirm and aged poor. To support this great and needy family, the three generous founders went from door to door begging for food and clothing for the needy ones; and the Heavenly Father Who provides for the birds of the air enabled their work of charity to proceed, and provided, for the wants of the good old people and for the Sisters in their first home of Saint Servan. While some openly criticised and discouraged the work, God inspired friends to com© to the assistance of the little community. In the year 1843 all the workmen of the Guibert dockyards, numbering several hundreds, offered a weekly subscription of a penny each and contnued this help for several years. In the year 1844 an event happened which distressed the Sisters much but which was destined by God to bring to wider knowledge the great work of charity of Saint Servan. The generous workers in the cause of charity thought not of themselves but of their great work ; their sole aim was to bring happiness to their good old people. God wished to make known the activities of the little community which as destined in a few years to spread throughout the world. The French Academy administered a fund called the de Montyon prize awarded periodically for works of virtue and charity. The following document may still be read in the archives of the Academy. “The sub Prefect and members of the General Council for the district of San Malo being eye-witnesses of the heroic charity of Jeanne Jugan and her companions, who, for many years, have devoted themselves to the relief of the unfortunate of the town of Saint Servan, believe it to be our duty to call attention to a virtue so generous and to bring it to the notice of the Committee charged with the award of the de Montyon prize for virtuous deeds; this woman and her companions, far from thinking they had merited any prize, begged that no mention be made o' the work, but at last consented in the interest of the poor.” • Upon the exposition of these facts the Commission of the Academy sent a favorable decision and awarded the prize to the founders of this great work and deputed an illustrious orator (M. Dupin) to pronounce the Oration on the occasion of awarding the prize. He spoke as follows: — “Gentlemen, the greater number of hospices have' been /founded by the parishes or by.the state.

-vi Other establishments of the same kind have Jseen founded by rich men by testamentary by appeals to benevolence, by the, help of subscriptions or even by lotteries widely organised. The hospice of Saint Servan has been founded by a poor servant and her .companions, who have -no riches except their charity.” “There remains. a problem which no doubt presents itself to the mind of each one pre.sent. How is it possible that Jeanne Jugan and her companions could provide the expense of such a house? How can I explain : it? Providence is great; Jeanne Jugan is tireless in her energy, she is eloquent in her appeal, she is confident in her prayers; she -has tears of compassion for the infirm, she has a'basket which she ever brings back full. Saintly woman, the Academy awards you the sum of which it can dispose at discretion and grants you the award of 3000 francs and commends your work to widespread and generous appreciation. This recognition by the Academy was in the year. 1845, when the little community numbered only five Sisters providing for the wants of some 60 poor and infirm aged people. To the growth of the community . the parable of the grain of mustard seed would seem to apply; Our Lord said, “The grain of mustard seed is the least of all seeds but when it is grown-up it is greater than all herbs and becometh a. tree.” It will interest you to study the development of the work of the Community in the 80 years intervening between 1845 and the present year—l92s. The Little Sisters of the "Poor are to bo found in every continent of the globe, there are 313 houses with communities totalling 6200 Sisters and providing homes for 48,000 good old people; but perhaps the magnitude of the work is shown • mast clearly by the record of those who have passed away under the kind care of the ■. Sisters, be it remembered that as a rule the Sisters receive only those who are advanced in years, already facing the west in the .> decline of life. Up till December 8 of last year no less than 404,000 had received the kind care of the Sisters, their last hours being brightened by the filial devotion, the untiring car© of the Sisters of the Poor. Most truly must it be said, that, if in 1845 France acknowledged her debt to the Foundress of this' Institute, gratitude must come to-day from every nation on. the earth; poor strife-torn Russian being the only known nation not favored with the activities of the ‘ Little Sisters of the Poor. To understand the work of the Little Sisters, or perhaps I might more correctly say, to deepen the mystery associated with their work it is necessary to refer to the method of management adopted by the Little Sisters of the Poor. Finance is a puzzling science, .but the Little . Sisters seem to have solved the puzzle — family of the Little Sisters is founded upon Divine Providence. V.Business men, in founding institutions, de- , pend upon capital and income for their success; the Little. Sisters adopt different lines, - they trust to' the ■ Providence of God the i; •; Father of the Poor. The Little Sisters have ‘ no income from freehold, investments or endowments : the future is not assured not

even the morrow; to live themselves and to provide a means of livelihood for a multitude of th© poor, they have God’s Providence always to be relied upon, always required. As a means of appealing for, and of gathering in the resources requisite to their work they have the asking of alms; that only, charity and always charity. Divine Providence and almsgiving, which is its daily and ordinary channel,such, are the visible means of subsistence of this family. Thus do the works of God mock at human means and ride rough-shod over them by methods manifestly of Heaven. A truly impressive spectacle that of the Little Sisters of the Poor founding 313 Houses, in size like large hospitals in every quarter of the globe, having already received 460,000 old people and all this without income, without resource beyond Divine Providence, and Almsgiving do they pray “Our Father Who art in heaven, give; us this day , our daily bread,” thoroughly have they understood the words of their Divine Master: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His justice and all these things shall he added unto you.” The work lives on, works on and grows; for eighty-five years this miracle of love has been renewed; this manna has fallen from heaven and every want of the good old people is provided for. Another secret is the spirit of the Little Sisters; it is the true family, spirit; what nature works in earthly, families charity reproduces in this community; herein you find the class of family life as found, in honest virtuous homes; but mutual relations take on a higher tone, they are founded upon charity. What a contrast with the sad sor-row-stricken condition of many despised and neglected old people in the world,' sore at heart, forgotten and ignored, they have to borrow those sad words of Scripture to describe their fate, “I have brought up children and I have exalted them but they have despised me.” How different are the good old people in these favored homes of devotion, love, and charityif tears do fall, they are tears of loving gratitude to God that He has brightened the closing years of their lives by the filial kindness and untiring devotion of the Little Sisters. It may be considered a far cry from Dunedin to the rockbound coast of Brittany and from th© year . 1925 back to the year 1845, but for the inspiration of the work of the Little Sisters and of all our religious communities you must go back to the cradle of Christianity and take your place on the hill of Judea while the Divine Master unfolds the treasures of wisdom in accents which thrilled the people’s hearts: He exclaimed, “The Heavens and Earth shall pass . away but my words will not pass away”— His words have re-echoed down the centuries and have inspired' noble generous souls to consecrate themselves to works of charity; - He regards as done , to Himself what is don© to His least ones and plainly states that our ' claim to eternal-reward will be based on our practice of the works of mercy. “I was hungry and you gave Me to eat, thirsty and you gave Me to drink; Amen I say to you as long as. you did it , to one > of these My least brethren, you did it to Me”

—this is the appeal that has come to the ; . hearts of these devoted Sisters, they have left homes, their native land and all that, they hold dear for the sacred purpose of? bringing joy and consolation to the declining days of the good old people. . : It is my privilege to be associated with your devoted Bishop in the happy ceremony of this day, to endorse the appeal of the • V Little Sisters for your help in their great work. The magnificent building now completed and dedicated, with the blessing of God, for the use of the good old people, bespeaks the confidence of the Little Sisters in the Providence of God, and the generosity of the people of this province. Would to God that the unselfishness and sacrifice of the members of our religious communities were thoroughly known and "understood; what a salutary influence in a world sad and weary N " from the long conflict rightly designated the suicide of civilisation I What an inspiring ; thought at a time when the sad effects of the war are accentuated by the gloom of industrial strife, a strife which threatens ~ direst calamities to the British Empire and imperils the very existence of our young Dominion in the vital period of its budding nationhood; may the lessons of the Sermon on the Mount which inspired the generous lives of these devoted Sisters unfold the principles of justice, charity, and mutual consideration, which will provide a peaceful and easy solution for any difficulty which might endanger the peace and progress of our Dominion or of our Empire. Your fair city may boast of its picturesque - setting, you may rejoice in your magnificent institutions ; for charity and education you may now point to this magnificent home as one of : the greatest ornaments of the city and of the province. Show your appreciation by generously encouraging the noble work. I appeal to you in the name of the good old people whose grateful blessings will be implored for their generous benefactors; I appeal to you in the name of the devoted Sisters that your help may lessen their anxiety in the noble work to which they have consecrated their lives; I appeal to you in I the name of Our Divine Redeemer that you may receive the fulfilment of the reward 4 promised in His sacred words: “As long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you have done it unto Me,” that you may £ merit the crowning eulogy of sacred Scripture: —“Thy prayers and thy alms are'' ascended for a memorial in the sight of God.” (Acts x, 14.) The Mayor (Mr. H. L. Tapley) expressed his thanks for the invitation to be present, and said he felt it a great privilege, as Mayor, to be associated with any institution ’ that was for the well-being and Velfar© ■of the aged and infirm and those who were sick and afflicted. • He had always been very much struck by the splendid humanitarian work being carried out by the Little Sisters of the Poor at Anderson’s Bay. He stressed the fact that there were taken into the. institution those who were non-Catholics, and all spent their declining years in comfort and in peace.. . He hoped that the money required to meet the great outlay would . be*-

forthcoming. On behalf of the citizens he --y,congratulated the Little Sisters upon possesthe splendid institution they had. T Mr. C. E. ’ Statham returned thanks for the invitation to be present, and also expressed his appreciation of the masterly address delivered by Bishop Brodie. He congratulated the Little Sisters upon the splendid progress that had been made in the home. He hoped the Sisters would meet with continued success in carrying on their good work. People grew old, but under a Divine Providence there was some compensation in knowing that in a beautiful home like that of the Little Sisters of the Poor there was great consolation for them. It was the bounden duty of their fellow-citizens to stand by these people in their old age. He commented on the fact that the work of the Little Sisters was done quietly and unobtrusively. Dr. E. J. O’Neill, in the course of a brief speech, said he had worked in all parts of the world, and he was greatly impressed with the devotion of the Sisters. They were calm, courageous, and full of resource. * The Good Mother, on her own behalf and on that of the community of the Home, desires to express gratitude to all who assisted in making the important function such a great success. <X>

''On the Cuiiard boat coming to Canada I saw the smokeroom full all day of young Americans of both sexes who drank without restraint. Several people on board spoke to , me regretfully of this, and said it had come in since prohibition.

"A young Californian said to me that nowadays it was considered smart to be able to visit a house and produce a hip pocket flask. ' When I went courting six years ago,' lie said, l I would have been kicked out had I done that.' "