From the time St. Jeanne Jugan first took in a poor blind elderly woman there have been Lay Collaborators with the work of the Little Sisters of the Poor. When Jeanne began the work the woman who lived with her felt she was not called to Religious life, but she continued to help in the care of the elderly with Jeanne and her first companions.
Today we have members of the Association Jeanne Jugan (AJJ) in each of our Homes, helping us with our work of caring for the Elderly and living the spirituality of St. Jeanne Jugan. They go through a time of formation to learn more about St. Jeanne Jugan, the Church and the teaching of the Church. So much of their work is so hidden.
Here in Villa Guadalupe we have AJJ members who do such things as helping with the mailing, relieving the receptionists for their break, visiting the sick and helping in arts and crafts.
Each year on the Saturday nearest May 1(this year April 27 was chosen as the day that most of the members would come) they renew their promises to “serve our Lord in the elderly with the joy and love, by following the example of humility and confidence left us by Jeanne Jugan.”
Here at Villa Guadalupe we are very grateful for the many hidden works of those members of the AJJ who share their love and joy for the elderly here in Gallup.
