Since 1869 when the first Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor opened on Calvert Street, an estimated 15,000 elderly men and women of all backgrounds and with very limited financial means have found a Home with the Little Sisters in Baltimore.

The Civil War had recently ended when on April 6, 1869, five Little Sisters of the Poor arrived from France to begin the fourth foundation in the United States. They were welcomed by the Visitation Sisters who provided them with many of the practical items needed to begin their work of caring for the aged poor.

The next day, they moved into two small, rented houses on Calvert Street. The poverty was great but the generosity of the people of Baltimore was greater still.

A year later, the Little Sisters moved into a new building on Valley Street not far from Johns Hopkins Medical Center where they would stay for 100 years.

In the mid 1960’s, funds were successfully raised for the construction of a then state-of-the-art Home for the aged in Catonsville, dedicated under the patronage of St. Martin of Tours. This name was chosen in honor of Archbishop Martin J. Spalding who first welcomed the Little Sisters to Baltimore.

It was during their centennial year, on May 25, 1969, that the Little Sisters moved into the “new” St. Martin’s Home, originally designed for 240 aged persons.

St. Martin’s Home also serves as the provincial residence for the Baltimore/Brooklyn Province of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

From the small beginnings back in 1869 right up to the present day, we have never wavered in our desire to humbly and joyfully live the charism of our foundress, Saint Jeanne Jugan, who said: “Never forget that the poor are Our Lord.”

For more information about Saint Jeanne Jugan and the Little Sisters of the Poor, click here.

The Little Sisters of the Poor are an international congregation of Roman Catholic women religious founded in 1839 by Saint Jeanne Jugan. Together with a diverse network of collaborators, we serve the elderly poor in over 30 countries around the world.

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:

• REVERENCE for the sacredness of human life and for the uniqueness of each person, especially those who are poorest and/or weakest. The commitment to reverence is reflected in care that is holistic and person-centered.
• FAMILY SPIRIT offering joyful hospitality embracing all with open arms, hearts and minds; fostering participation in the life of the Home and rejecting all forms of discrimination.
• HUMBLE SERVICE to raise others up and to put their needs before our own; an appreciation of simple, everyday tasks and experiences and humble means of accomplishing our work.
• COMPASSION for sharing the weaknesses and sufferings of others; eagerness to relieve pain in all its forms and to make the elderly happy.
• STEWARDSHIP that recognizes that life and all other goods are gifts from God and should be used responsibly for the good of all; trust in God’s Providence and the generosity of others to provide for our needs; just compensation for our collaborators; a spirit of gratitude and sharing.

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.

• We welcome low-income elderly persons of at least 65 years of age regardless of race or religion.

• The atmosphere of our Home is friendly and home-like.

• We strive to provide the best level of medical care possible, but we go beyond that to minister to our Residents emotionally and spiritually, making them happy and communicating to them the tenderness and mercy of God.

• We encourage an active lifestyle through meaningful activities, a lively pastoral program, and opportunities for volunteering.

• We adhere to all the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, especially those concerning the sanctity of human life.

• We reject all forms of euthanasia and assisted suicide and protect our Residents from these practices as well as from all forms of abuse and neglect.

• The compassionate care and accompaniment of the dying is the summit of our ministry. At St. Martin’s Home, it is our goal that no one dies alone.

• We welcome the collaboration of many dedicated staff members, volunteers and benefactors, who are the extended hands and hearts of the Little Sisters.

For more information on the philosophy of the Little Sisters of the Poor, click here.

The Little Sisters have maintained the begging tradition of our foundress Saint Jeanne Jugan, relying on the charity of those in our local communities.

Our begging Little Sister is no longer known by her begging basket, but by our “begging van.” The Begging Sister and her helpers go out daily to markets, places of business, farms and nurseries seeking food and commodities to offset operating expenses.

Little Sisters can also be found on weekends at Catholic parishes asking for both financial and spiritual assistance and seeking to build friendships and support for the day-to-day activities of our Home.

The Little Sisters rely heavily on the Begging Sister to bring in much needed items. The Little Sisters also reach out to the local communities requesting donations of both time and funds that support the mission of serving the elderly poor.