Jeanne lived in the late 1600’s and early 1700’s in France. She came from a family of twelve children—she was the baby of the family. Sometimes she thought about God, but other times it seemed she just wasn’t that interested. However, one day she met a holy woman who told her that a day would come when Jeanne would care for the poor and be heroic in loving everyone. (Imagine what Jeanne must have felt! She probably thought Who? Me?) As she got older, though, that’s exactly what she did. She opened a home for orphans, and other women joined her to take care of the children and educate them. Jeanne started a religious community called the Sisters of St. Anne. They worked for the poor, the orphans, and the elderly people. What great works of love Sister Jeanne of the Cross started! How deeply she loved God and others!

My Pledge:

Dear Jesus, there are lots of kids who have difficult home lives! I want to pray especially for children who don’t feel loved. Help me be like St. Jeanne—generous in love.

Your Turn:

Like Jeanne, you might not always feel heroic, but you can find ways to be kind to your classmates, teammates, and the kids who live in your neighborhood.