Since our founding, “begging” for contributions has been at the heart of the work of the Little Sisters of the Poor. As we rely on the charity of our community, our friends and benefactors are the instruments through which God sustains our work.
A Day in the Life of a Little Sister ‘Beggar’
Reflections by Sister Mary Vincent
It is 5:30 a.m. A pale moon illumines the velvety darkness overhead. Climbing aboard the begging van we offer up a brief prayer for safe travels for us — myself, a Little Sister companion, and our driver — for all others on the roads, for our benefactors, and for those we meet this day.
It isn’t long before we catch up with commuters heading to Boston. By 7 a.m. we arrive at the New England Produce Center in Chelsea. First stop: New England Banana Co., where we are grateful for a generous donation of fruit. Next: Cutone Mushroom Co. where we catch up with Mary and news since our last visit.
And so it goes. We move from one dock to another, one bay to the next. By noon, our van is full and we head south to Pawtucket, hopeful we brought a little joy to those who help us in our mission. Our weekly begging rounds also include the meat market in South Boston and New Bedford for fish. Every other Thursday we travel to New Haven, CT, to pick up generous donations from two supermarket warehouses.
My days as a Little Sister beggar are much the same as for those who came before me. Through begging, the Little Sisters offer those they meet an opportunity to share in their ministry of caring for the elderly poor. In the heart of each Little Sister rings out a song of hope, confident that the roads that crisscross throughout her life are the pathway that will lead her to the heart of God.
Like Saint Jeanne Jugan, we believe that if we are faithful to our mission, God will provide. We offer prayers to countless vendors and businesses who support our mission.