CHERAS : “The universal Church celebrates the Oct 11 canonization of Jeanne Jugan,” said Archbishop Murphy Pakiam at the Eucharistic Celebration on Oct 17 at the St Francis Xavier Home for the Elderly (Little Sisters of the Poor.)

Archbishop Pakiam presided at the Eucharistic Celebration with concelebrants Fr John Gnanapiragasam, Fr Antoine Henriot MEP, Fr Edward Soosay, Fr Christopher W. Sooisaipillai, Fr Larry Tan SJ, Fr Simon Labrooy and Fr Valentine Gompok OFM Cap. Seminarians, Bro Simon Anand and Bro Anthony Liew served as altar servers for the Mass.

Speaking about Jeanne Jugan, Archbishop Pakiam said, “Millions of people have been inspired. The sisters have spent 170 years dedicating themselves to the elderly — there is peace and serenity in their Homes. These are the fruits of this redemption. What is the secret of this phenomena? He referred to the First Reading according to Isaiah: The Lord shall give strength whose water never runs dry. It is in St Jeanne Jugan’s tremendous faith in God,” he stressed

“In Winter of 1839, Jeanne took in a blind and infirm elderly woman and gave up her bed for her. Jeanne adopted her as her own mother. A second person was taken in shortly afterwards. This was the humble start and inspiration that still draws thousands to join her in the mission.”

Archbishop Pakiam also touched on the Gospel Reading (Matthew 5:1- 12), about the sermon on the mount. Referring to Jeanne Jugan, he quoted Christ, ‘Happy are the poor in spirit and the last beatitude, ‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad for your reward will be great in Heaven.’ He added that as Jeanne Jugan’s work prospered, new Homes were built and more girls joined her; she was ousted, reneged by a priest. But she did not complain, such was Jeanne Jugan, a person who was guided by the Beatitudes in her daily life.

Archbishop Pakiam went on to say that God renews the church in every way by raising holy men and women as role models for us. He asked all to follow St Jeanne Jugan’s good examples, while quoting again...’Blessed are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven,’ adding that faith in Jesus will give us strength to live out these Beatitudes in our lives.

The Mass was held in the Home where close to 500 packed the chapel and the auditorium to follow the Mass screened on the LCD. The congregation comprised of the residents, Evangelical counsels from the LSP, FMM and FMDM, and several invited guests.

In her speech right after Mass, Sr Cecilia Emmanuel who is the Superior for the Little Sisters of the Poor (LSP) expressed her gratitude on behalf of LSP to both Archbishop Pakiam and the clergy present for celebrating the Eucharist. She also thanked the benefactors, religious and all the faithful present, saying your presence here today manifests your support to our mission. “We shall strive to serve the poor in Kuala Lumpur and may God bless you all,” she said.

A simple lunch fellowship for all was held at the same premise. Many took the opportunity to mingle with the residents of the Home and the clergy.

St Jeanne Jugan’s souvenirs like keychains and plaques and several books on her life and ministry were also on sale at the reception area. — By Bernard Anthony