Little Sisters of Jesus - Foundation: September 8th 1939

Foundation: September 8th 1939

On the 8th September 1939, a few days after the declaration of the second world war, Madeleine and her companion, Anne, took their first step as religious sisters. Madeleine was 41.

"Today was our profession and we are filled with joy... From now on we shall be known officially as Little Sister Magdeleine of Jesus and Little Sister Anne of Jesus. Today marks the end of the first stage of our journey and the beginning of the second. It is an important day that will always be remembered for the foundation of the Little Sisters of Jesus so that the birthday of the Blessed Virgin will mark the birth of a new religious congregation."

In October 1939 the first community was founded on the outskirts of Touggourt, Algeria, near a well where the nomads came with their animals.

In August 1940, Little Sister Magdeleine returned to France and found three quarters of her country occupied. In these difficult circumstances she gave many talks and showed a film that she had made herself of her life in Touggourt with her nomad friends:

"With this film I want to bring you joy and hope. I want to show you what faith can do with the life of one sick person. It must be a faith capable of moving mountains, incorporating the strongest belief in Brother Charles' guiding principle, 'Jesus is Lord of the impossible'"

Many young people were attracted by the ideal and wanted to join her. But before leaving for the Sahara they needed to be formed in this new way of contemplative life at the heart of the world and also to have a place to live. She was given a house outside Aix en Provence called Le Tubet, which was to become the Mother house.

"This house is the answer to all my prayers. What a wonderful present!" noted Little Sister Magdeleine in her diary.