On this day of September 8 when the Church celebrates the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, all the Little Sisters of the Poor are happy to welcome their new Mother General, re-elected for a second term, Mother María del Monte Auxiliadora. A Spanish national, Mother María del Monte made her first religious profession in 1982 and made her perpetual vows in 1987. Since her election to the General Superiorship in 2015, she has given herself unreservedly and guided the Congregation with intelligence and prudence, through multiple difficulties, including the Covid19 pandemic.
The objective of the Superior General is to promote the personal holiness of each one and the apostolic fruitfulness of the Congregation, in fidelity to her charism. The Congregation is present in 31 countries on 5 continents. Its sole mission is to serve the poor elderly: to welcome and accompany the elderly to the natural end of their lives with charity and competence, in today’s world marked by great multiplicity and cultural and social complexity. This commitment to life and respect for the human person has been the objective pursued since its foundation in 1839 by Saint Jeanne Jugan.
The General Chapter, which is usually held every 6 years, is a very important body of authority with the election of a Superior General and her Council. For the past few weeks, the 60 delegates of all the Little Sisters communities of the world have been gathered at St Joseph’s Tower, the Mother House of the Congregation.
They will continue until October 15 their work of exchanges, reflections, decisions, studying the questions that currently arise for the Congregation and also on the basis of the wishes and suggestions that all the Little Sisters have been able to elaborate and bring back to the Chapter.
May the Holy Spirit enlighten and renew all hearts for the Glory of God and the salvation of souls!
