Little Sisters of the Poor - Pittsburgh

Tenderly Caring for the Elderly Poor Since 1872

The humble beginnings of the Little Sisters of the Poor started with an unselfish act by their Blessed Foundress Jeanne Jugan in 1839 in Brittany France. Jeanne Jugan carried Ann Chauvion, a poor, old, abandoned, paralyzed blind woman up the stairs of her home and placed her in her bed. All her life Jeanne Jugan believed she was an instrument in God's hands. She believed serving the elderly poor was part of God's plan for her.  She believed God would provide the daily needs.  She took a basket in her arms and went knocking on people's doors asking for the provisions she needed for her "little family."

The Pittsburgh community invited the Little Sisters to establish their mission in this city in 1872. The first permanent Home opened on Penn Avenue in Lawrenceville. An additional Home on Benton Avenue in Brighton Heights was built specifically for the Sisters in 1922 by a local entrepreneur Patrick Wall and his wife, Catherine, as a memorial to their only child, James P. Wall.

Even though we are a Catholic order, we have cared for the elderly poor regardless of race, creed, color or religion. Every effort is made to give them a sense of dignity, human and personal respect and security in the face of advancing age. We provide a comfortable home where our Residents are surrounded by love and engaged in purposeful activity.

Humility and serenity are woven into the fabric of the Little Sisters of the Poor's lives and the lives of those they care for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The height of their vocation is to nurture spirituality and assist the dying.

Today as over the past 169 years, the life's work of more than 2,774 Little Sisters, in 32 countries on five continents, and in 205 Homes is solely to care for elderly poor.

The Little Sisters of the Poor Mission Statement: