On August 30th, we celebrated for the first time the Feast Day of Saint Jeanne Jugan, honoring her as a saint. Last year’s canonization was such an emotional event that the memories of all those who participated are still very much alive. You can still view some pictures and stories from the Rome travelers on our national website . Can you pick out the delegation from Scranton? There is a picture of them!
The day before, we gathered for a celebration of St. Jeanne Jugan’s life with readings of meditations on the few sayings that we have of her and we venerated her relic.
For the Eucharistic Celebration at our Home, retired Bishop James C. Timlin presided in a beautifully decorated chapel. His inspiring homily retraced the importance of her work at the time when she lived and pointed out the necessity of her charism in our world today.
After Mass, all were invited to dinner in the auditorium, where the dietary staff had prepared a sumptuous meal, which the Residents very much enjoyed. It was good to see the family spirit of our Home, as Residents and employees ate together. This was, however, not the end. The Pavilion Residents had agreed to re-staged some of the scenes that they had depicted as a preparation for the other Residents (link to SC News August.pdf), this time on the “big” stage in the auditorium! Though the script needed some revisions and the “original” Jeanne Jugan was not able to be there, the Residents did very well and everybody benefited from learning more about the Saint that has been called the Patron Saint of Old Age.
Let us confide to her intercession all the elderly of the world , especially those who are neglected and alone:
Jesus, you rejoiced and praised your Father for having revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. We thank you for the graces granted to your humble servant, Jeanne Jugan, to whom we confide our petitions and needs. (pause to voice your personal needs and intentions) Father of the poor, you have never refused the prayer of the lowly. We ask you, therefore, to hear the petitions that she presents to you on our behalf. Jesus, through Mary, your Mother and ours, we ask this of you, who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.
