Jeanne Jugan Residence
   San Pedro, California



The Little Sisters of the Poor have served in Southern California since 1905. The first home was St. Ann's in Boyle Heights, which was the 300th Residence opened by the Little Sisters worldwide. The home was located at First and Mott Street on seven acres of land.

"To Honor God and to Help my Neighbor" was inscribed above the entrance to St. Ann's. It was the dedication of Edward la Breton, a wealth San Francisco businessman, who first built the Home in San Francisco and then committed to do the same for Los Angeles.

On February 9, 1971 a serious earthquake shook the Los Angeles area. Although no one was harmed at St. Ann's, there was considerable damage to the walls and ceiling of the Home. While the repairs were completed, the Fire Department and the Department of Building and Safety denied the renewal of the Little Sisters' license to operate St. Ann's Home. The Sisters were given only three years to find a new Home.

As the Little Sisters began to look for a new Home, life at St. Ann's went undisturbed. In August 1975 the Sisters took their Residents for a picnic outing along the ocean in San Pedro. They came often to this same area to escape the heat of the inner city of Los Angeles. Everyone enjoyed it so much and mused about how nice it would be to live alongside the sea. Sr. Winefred and Father Patrick Peyton decided to follow the tradition of burying a small statue of St. Joseph as a way of finding a new home. For good measure they also buried a medal of Jeanne Jugan and began praying for help in finding a suitable home site.

At the end of the day, as they left San Pedro, everyone could not help but notice the "For Sale" sign posted in front of the vacant Fermin Lasuen Catholic High School which was not far from the coast. St. Joseph was apparently wasting no time.

In early November, Mother Marguerite, the newly appointed Superior of the Province of Chicago, made a visit to L. A. to accompany Mother Isabel on inspection of the high school property. They found the construction of the building to be Class A... ideal for their purposes.

Mother Provincial Marguerite was again in Los Angeles in November for a meeting with Cardinal Manning and Msgr. Hawkes regarding the possibility of developing a fundraising campaign for their Home. Mother Isabel, Sr. Benedict and Sr. Madeleine accompanied her. As they waited for their appointment, Mother Isabel mentioned to the Cardinal's secretary, Rev. Clement Connolly, that the Residents and other Little Sisters were engaged in a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament for the intentions of the meeting. Father immediately said, "Let us begin this meeting quickly before the hour is finished."

As Mother Provincial Marguerite and the other Little Sisters entered the Cardinal's office, she held tight to her little statue of St. Joseph, which she carried in her pocket. Immediately and to the great surprise of the Little Sisters, he proposed that the Archdiocese give the Sisters Fermin Lasuen High School, as well as the property they needed. He also would allow a general fundraising campaign as long as no direct parish appeals were included. He suggested that he would put this statement in writing if the Sisters were agreeable. Again, St. Joseph had shown himself to be a powerful intercessor for the Little Sisters and all rejoiced at the good news.

In 1979, after having been Home to over 5,000 elderly, St. Ann's was closed. With the help of many benefactors, the Little Sisters and their Residents moved to San Pedro and the newly constructed Jeanne Jugan Residence.

Many treasures from St. Ann's can be found at Jeanne Jugan Residence, but most importantly, the family spirit continues. The comfort and happiness of the Residents remains the most important focus of the Little Sisters. They are most grateful to the many generous friends, volunteers, benefactors, and dedicated employees who ensure the continuation their work.