Little Sister of Jesus

Little Sister of Jesus –  Little Sister Maryam Jannat of the Martyrs of Afghanistan, L.S.J.                “Racism is one of the most serious violations of love.”   –  Little Sister Magdeleine of Jesus                                                    “A contemplative at the heart of the world.”                                                                                                                  “Jesus Caritas”

Foundress:  Élisabeth Marie Magdeleine Hutín  (Little Sister Magdeleine of Jesus, L.S.J.)            Pioneer Sister and Companion:  Little Sister Anne of Jesus, L.S.J.                                                    

Place:  Touggourt, French Algeria  (near a well where the nomads came with their animals)

Year:  1939 A.D.  († September 8th, Our Blessed Mother’s birthday †)

Her Charism:  This “little” Sister draws her charism from the life, writings, and wisdom of        St. Charles-Eugène de Foucauld  (Brother Charles of Jesus) and seeks “Nazareth” by following Jesus in poverty, humility, and prayerful solidarity with the Muslim people of Algeria.  She proclaims the Gospel of God’s great all-encompassing love for all people not with her words, but with her life.   She is “little” out of humanity and vulnerability, just as the Infant Jesus was vulnerable and humble.  As a member of an international, multicultural, contemplative Community, her primary mission is prayer and she lives among those groups of people who are either inaccessible to other forms of Church ministry, are minorities, or whose day-to-day life is marked by division, poverty, racism, and violence: slum dwellers, Asian boat people, Gypsies etc. showing them the love of Christ.  Her little way of presence  to others is small but central to her life.  It is an important sign of healing and hope in a broken world.  The mission of this Little Sister’s vocation can be summed up in one word – “UNITY.” This Little Sister possesses a faith capable of moving mountains.  Since 1956 A.D. she has brought the message of the Gospel by assisting and protecting those needing support, comfort, and strength, and by working in refugee camps and in government hospitals wearing a burqa so she goes unnoticed.  † She is an “Afghan among Afghans.” †