The Little Sisters of the Poor, a religious order caring for elderly residents at St. Joseph’s Home in Louisville, continue their longstanding tradition of seeking donations from the community to support their mission. Mother Mary Richard explained that this practice, known as begging, began with the order’s founder, St. Jeanne Jugan, who started by taking needy elderly women into her own home.

Mother Mary Richard said, “St. Jeanne Jugan realized she could not support them with what she had been doing for a living.” The tradition was initiated when a member of the Brothers of St. John of God gave Jugan her first basket and encouraged her to seek help from others: “go out and beg in the community.”

This approach has remained central to the sisters’ work since 1839 but has evolved over time. Instead of going door-to-door as they once did, today’s sisters reach out through parishes, businesses, and direct appeals to donors.

“In the modern day, the residents that we accept in our homes are all eligible for Medicaid. But Medicaid only covers maybe half of our expenses; so, the other half has to be made up,” Mother Mary Richard noted.

She also highlighted that those who contribute benefit spiritually: “When people donate and make sacrifices, it’s good for their souls, too.” The sisters pray for benefactors and offer Masses on their behalf.

Sister John Elise shared a recent example where she requested $15,000 from a donor for landscaping needs at St. Joseph Home. The donor responded with an offer of $20,000 instead. When Sister John Elise relayed this information to Mother Mary Richard, it became clear that $15,000 would cover trees while another $5,000 was needed for irrigation—making the donation timely and sufficient.

The sisters recounted other instances where unexpected gifts arrived just as they were needed. After their toaster broke recently—a need they hadn’t mentioned—a donor provided one without being asked.

“God will give you a little bit here and there, a little bit of sweetness to make you continue to trust,” said Mother Mary Richard.

Sister John Elise referred back to stories about their foundress: “In Jeanne Jugan’s time — the mother foundress — a sister came and told her … ‘We have no more butter and the bread is so dry for the old people.’ So she said, ‘Put whatever you have left in front of Saint Joseph.’ ” Shortly after making this gesture of faith, butter was donated unexpectedly. “You just have to really trust God, that he will provide.”

Sister Mary Emilie described how she witnessed generosity during her service as a begging sister. On one occasion someone gave away their last money meant for lunch despite being urged not to do so; on another day during poor weather conditions after Mass at a parish church, a child insisted on donating his piggy bank savings—with his father returning home with him in heavy rain so he could give everything he had.

For more information about supporting or learning about the Little Sisters of the Poor in Louisville visit littlesistersofthepoorlouisville.org.