From left, Sister Gertrude Mary, Peg Riley, Elenor Dunne, and Sister Rose Veronica.

By Beecher Tuttle

Several supporters from Somerville plan to be at the Vatican when Jeanne Jugan, founder of the global charity organization Little Sisters of the Poor, is canonized by Pope Benedict XVI this Sunday.

It is estimated 4,000 people from around the world will make the trip to the Vatican to see Jugan indoctrinated into Sainthood on Oct. 11, including Sisters, residents and supporters of the Jeanne Jugan Residence located on Highland Avenue.

“It is positively wonderful,” resident volunteer Peg Riley said of the chance to travel to the Vatican. “The joy is just pouring out of me.”

Jeanne Jugan founded the Little Sisters of the Poor in France in the 19th century, opening several homes to help support the needy and the elderly. Jugan’s idea took hold, and there are now 202 homes bearing her name in 32 countries that care for the elderly in both a physical and spiritual way.

The Massachusetts congregation, originally founded in Roxbury in 1870, moved to Somerville in 1889 and has remained on the same property
since.

Riley, who began volunteering at the Somerville congregation in 1947, will also be joined on the trip by Sister Gertrude Mary and Sister Rose Veronica, among others.

For the members of the trip, this pilgrimage seems to be both a coronation of selfless icon, but also an opportunity — a responsibility to enlighten
citizens on a local and national level of an ulterior way of take care for those in their latter years.

Sister Veronica said the ceremony will call attention to the need for improved elderly care.

“The canonization of our mother Jeanne Jugan really brings a lot of awareness about the elderly and their need to be cared for —
especially in a society where youth is so valued,” Sister Veronica said. “I think it brings to the forefront the necessity to really care
for our elders and to see the value and wisdom that they bring to society.”

Sister Getrude Mary, the superior of the Somerville congregation, said she hopes to showcase a model for nursing systems on
how to care for the elderly on more of a holistic level.

“We have seen nursing homes evolve over the last 50 to 60 years from a very strong medical model, based on a hospital-like setting, to a social
model where a sense of family is created,” she said.

“Jeanne Jugan stands out as a representation on how to create family and how to give the elderly a home away from home,” Sister Mary added. “Hopefully,
(the canonization) will focus attention on the evangelical virtue of fraternal charity, as well as the solidarity of those with little or no
faith, yet who contribute to the welfare of their fellow men.”

The canonization will take place over several days and will culminate with a Mass service that will be televised live on cable channel EWTN Oct.
11 at 4 a.m. eastern standard time The Somerville congregation will hold a special Mass on Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. at St. Catherine’s,
followed by an open house at the residence.