The Little Sisters of the Poor say they are honoured and privileged to welcome Pope Leo to the home they operate in Istanbul to care for the elderly.
By Christopher Wells
The Little Sisters of the Poor were busy preparing for Pope Leo’s visit on Friday morning to the care home that they operate for elderly, Sister Margaret told Vatican Media ahead of the Holy Father’s arrival. “The old people are also very excited,” she said, “Even those who are not Christian, they feel honoured, very privileged.”
The Sisters, whose order originated in France, care for sixty poor elderly men and women, including Christians of various denominations, a number of Muslims, and one Jewish resident. “But of course, we don’t make any difference with religion, and we are very attentive to that,” said Mother Mary Ignatius, an Indian sister who leads the community. She notes that the facility includes a chapel for Christians and a masjid, a prayer room for Muslims, so that no one is deprived of spiritual care.
The chapel in the home for the elderly
‘We couldn’t believe it’
Sister Margaret said the community was very excited to learn that the Pope might visit their home. “We couldn’t believe it,” she said, adding that at first they were not certain he would come. “So we were a bit anxious, but we never said anything [about a possible papal visit] just in case it might be bad news.
“But actually, when we heard the news, everyone was very, very excited. And we felt so honoured, so privileged, because we’re only ordinary people. This is just a poor house,” she said.
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Caring for Jesus in those you serve
The sisters themselves come from around the world, with sisters from India, England, Nigeria, Kenya and Malta.
Mother Mary Ignatius said that despite the difficulties the Sisters face, they trust in God. “He never let us down. And we believe that word.”
She recalled that the Order’s founder, St Jeanne Jugan, “always used to say, ‘If God is with us, it will be accomplished.’ And it is also her words that whom you take care, you are taking care of Jesus Himself. So there are the two points in a spirit of faith.”
At the same time, she recognizes that financial and bureaucratic struggles can be difficult. Nonetheless, the sisters strive to ensure that they are doing their best to bring the residents “close to God.”
Mother Mary Ignatius gives a tour of the chapel
Listening to the Pope’s message
Asked about their hopes for the Holy Father’s visit Sr Margaret reflected that, although they are very excited, they realize “The Pope is coming on a mission, and he’s coming with a message. So we mustn’t get lost in the middle of the joy and the anticipation, and we’ve got to really listen well to what the Pope said to us, because that’s like God’s message to us.”
“This visit is a privilege, a blessing from God,” she added. “And so it’s God’s message to us. What does the Pope want us to know and understand? And then where do we go from here.”
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Entrance to the Fransız Fakirhanesi home for the elderly
A spirit of gratitude
When Pope Leo arrives on Friday, Sister Margaret said the sisters would be sure to express their gratitude for his visit. “I think we are just going to say we’re just so grateful. You know this is Thanksgiving time and we are surely involved in thanking the Holy Father for coming to our humble house. That’s what we will do, what we will tell him.”
