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Saint Teresa of Jesus Jornet Ibars
Saint Teresa of Jesus Jornet Ibars

Saint Teresa of Jesus Jornet Ibars

Feast Day
Aug 26, 2012
Patronage
The Poor, The Abandoned and Aged
<p>Teresa Jornet Ibars was the born January 9<sup>th</sup>, 1843 in the Catalan region of Spain.&nbsp; She was the foundress of the Little Sisters of the Abandoned Aged, better known as the Little Sisters of the Poor.&nbsp; This is not to be confused with the Congregation also called this founded by St. Jeanne Jugan.</p> <p>From a young age, Teresa had a strong concern for the poor, often bringing them to the home of an aunt, where they were sure to receive assistance.&nbsp; Later she moved to Lerida, and lived with another aunt as she pursued her education.&nbsp; She became a teacher in Barcelona.&nbsp; During this time, she felt drawn to the monastic life and applied for admission to the Poor Clares, but she was not accepted.&nbsp; For this reason she devoted herself to her teaching and became a Carmelite tertiary to help in the development of her Spiritual life.&nbsp; She was encouraged by her Spiritual Director to undertake caring for the many elderly people of the area who were living alone and in poverty.&nbsp; She accepted this challenge.&nbsp;</p> <p>In 1872, she opened the first house in Barbastro.&nbsp; Her sister Maria helped her, and the following year the small group took the habit and became a religious Congregation.&nbsp; Since Teresa had previously been with the Carmelite Order, she took the name of their great foundress, Teresa of Jesus.&nbsp; She was elected the first superior of the new community. They were totally dedicated to the care of the aged.&nbsp;&nbsp; Mother Teresa of Jesus taught her Sisters to sacrifice their own personal comforts for that of the men and women that they cared for.&nbsp; In addition for her intense commitment, she was noted for her overwhelming peace, and that drew in many young women to join her.&nbsp;</p> <p>An outbreak of cholera hit Spain in 1897, and she joined the other members of the Congregation in their care of the victims of this plague.&nbsp; By the time it ended, 24 Sister, and seventy of their patients had died from the disease.&nbsp; She was physically overwhelmed and retired to the house in Liria.&nbsp; This is where she died, on August 26, 1897.&nbsp; At the time of her death, her Congregation had fifty houses.&nbsp; She was beatified in 1958 by Pope Pius XII, and canonized in 1974 by Pope Paul VI.&nbsp;</p> <h1><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Practical Take Away</strong></span></h1> <p>The life of St. Teresa of Jesus Jornet Ibars shows us that one person can make a difference, as well as many other things.&nbsp; The fact that she had fifty houses, all caring for the sick at the time of her death, was all made possible because she said &ldquo;yes&rdquo; to Jesus.&nbsp; She had a desire to help the poor and abandoned, and helped them one by one, by taking them to her aunt&rsquo;s house.&nbsp; This little act of compassion would grow into a Congregation of fifty houses in her life&rsquo;s time.&nbsp; If we call upon her intercession, we can get her help, and we can make a difference in the lives of others as well.&nbsp; We are all called to be saints, lets not miss our opportunity.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>