The Little Sisters of the Poor operate St. Augustine as a true home, rather than an institution, so that Residents may live in an atmosphere of peace, happiness, and security for their remaining years.
The Little Sisters live at St. Augustine Home and are available 24/7 to respond to Resident needs.
The Little Sisters take a spiritual approach to aging – exemplified by the central location of the chapel, the presence of a chaplain and Resident priests, daily Mass and rosary, and regular availability of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
The Little Sisters ensure a constant presence with the Residents who are dying.
All Resident bedrooms are single occupancy, with private bathrooms.
Although each apartment has kitchen facilities, apartment Residents are welcome to enjoy family-style meals in one of St. Augustine’s dining rooms as often as they wish, free of charge.
Residents enjoy the convenience of all of the following: doctor and dental offices, physical therapy facilities, dining rooms, recreational areas, a full-service laundry, an industrial kitchen, meeting rooms, an award-winning garden, and a chapel that is available 24-hours a day.
Our continuum of care includes:
In the early 1870s, four Little Sisters of the Poor came to Indianapolis at the invitation of the Father Augustine Bessonies, vicar general of the diocese and pastor of St. John’s Parish downtown.
Father Bessonies rented two small houses for the Little Sisters near his church, and the Sisters took in six elderly guests within just a few days.
In 1873, the Little Sisters were able to purchase two and a half acres of land from the Sisters of Providence. On this land, at 500 East Vermont Street, the Sisters built their first Home in Indianapolis and placed it under the patronage of St. Augustine.
By the early 1960s, the building could no longer meet the changing state code regulations. With support from the local church and community leaders, a campaign was begun to build a newer, more modern facility.
In 1967, the Little Sisters moved to the current location at 2345 West 86th Street, on the southeast corner of 86th Street and Township Line Road. The new Home was dedicated in 1968.
The Little Sisters work with over 100 full and part-time staff members and more than 300 volunteers to provide a loving Home, offering a continuum of care through independent living apartments, assisted living, or total nursing care.
While most Residents are native Hoosiers, some have come from other states and even other countries. The majority of our Residents at St. Augustine Home are in their mid- to late-80s.
While many are Roman Catholic, men and women of all faiths are welcomed to St. Augustine Home with open arms.
The Little Sisters of the Poor are an international congregation of Roman Catholic women religious founded in 1839 by Saint Jeanne Jugan. The Little Sisters of the Poor serve the elderly poor in over 30 countries around the world with a diverse network of collaborators.
The Little Sisters of the Poor are continuing the work of Saint Jeanne Jugan, our foundress.
The MISSION of the Little Sisters of the Poor is to offer the neediest elderly of every race and religion a home where they will be welcomed as Christ, cared for as family and accompanied with dignity until God calls them to himself.
The VISION of the Little Sisters of the Poor is to contribute to the Culture of Life by nurturing communities where each person is valued, the solidarity of the human family and the wisdom of age are celebrated, and the compassionate love of Christ is shared with all.
The VALUES of the Little Sisters include:
The Little Sisters of the Poor care for the elderly poor in the spirit of humble service that we have received from our foundress, Saint Jeanne Jugan. The Little Sisters welcome the elderly, receive them as God’s children and as members of our own family, and serve them with love and respect until God calls them Home.
Saint Jeanne Jugan’s vision of family extended far beyond the Little Sisters and Residents.
Jeanne Jugan believed that because God is our Father, all men and women are brothers and sisters – members of one family – and thus responsible for one another. She sought to involve people from many walks of life in her mission of hospitality.
To provide for the needs of the aged poor, Jeanne Jugan walked the roads of Brittany seeking alms, carrying her begging basket. Knocking on doors, she asked for money or whatever was needed for the Residents.
Today, we continue this tradition of begging in Indianapolis. Our collecting Sisters visit local markets and businesses, seeking to provide for the needs of our Residents, just as Saint Jeanne Jugan did.
The Sisters also visit parishes on weekends to speak about our mission, encourage vocations, and take up a collection to help support our home. Since Medicaid covers a small portion of the costs of care, this is how we raise a significant percentage of our operating expenses.
The generosity of the community in central Indiana is remarkable – it is because of this that we can provide such good care to our Residents.
In gratitude, we offer a Mass each month for our benefactors, and we pray for them every day.
If you would like to donate for the needs of our Residents, please contact colindianapolis@littlesistersofthepoor.org.
