transcript

Speaker 1:
[00:02] Saint-Sylvain, France, 1817. Eighteen-year-old Joan heard God's call. She knows He has special work in mind for her. But what is it? Eager to find out, Joan attends the local church meetings of the Third Order of the Heart of Mary, and volunteers at the hospital to help the sick. She works tirelessly night and day, but she is neglecting her own health in her efforts to help others.

Speaker 2:
[00:36] The Saints, Adventures of Faith and Courage. Jeanne Jugan, Episode 2, To Saint Servan. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at thesaintspodcast.com.

Speaker 3:
[01:17] Excuse me, Madam Wazelle.

Speaker 4:
[01:20] Yes?

Speaker 3:
[01:21] My name is Mirielle Lecoque. You've been coming to these meetings for the last few weeks. I wanted to introduce myself. What's your name?

Speaker 4:
[01:31] Jeanne Jugan. I'm happy to meet you, Madam Lecoque.

Speaker 3:
[01:35] Mirielle, please. I know I'm old enough to be your mother, but I prefer informality.

Speaker 4:
[01:41] So do I.

Speaker 3:
[01:43] Are you a member of the Third Order of the Heart of Mary?

Speaker 4:
[01:48] No. I just enjoy coming. Are you a member?

Speaker 3:
[01:52] Oh, yes. For a very long time. How did you like today's meeting?

Speaker 4:
[01:58] I love hearing Father Olivier pray, using those beautiful words of Father John Ute, God rest his soul. And I love praying with everyone.

Speaker 3:
[02:10] Then why don't you join us?

Speaker 4:
[02:13] Become a member.

Speaker 3:
[02:15] Already you come regularly. Why not make it official? Do you have time for a cup of tea? I live right around the corner. I'll tell Father Olivier. He'll speak with you and arrange it.

Speaker 4:
[02:30] Thank you, Marielle. And thank you for introducing yourself.

Speaker 3:
[02:35] Do you have time for a cup of tea? I live right around the corner.

Speaker 4:
[02:39] I would love that. Although I can't stay long. I have to get back to the hospital.

Speaker 3:
[02:44] Oh, are you a nurse?

Speaker 4:
[02:47] Oh, no. I just work with the sisters there, doing whatever they need me to do. And the need is vast.

Speaker 3:
[02:55] Such as?

Speaker 4:
[02:57] Helping in the apothecary, keeping the hospital clean. But what I love most is helping the patients, bringing them food, changing their bandages, and either talking or praying with them. That gives me great joy.

Speaker 3:
[03:14] I think your presence gives them great joy, too.

Speaker 4:
[03:17] Oh, I hope so.

Speaker 3:
[03:19] I'd love to offer my services there, but at my age, I'm afraid, I'm not strong enough to do all those things. I've got a bad heart, you see.

Speaker 4:
[03:30] You can pray for us.

Speaker 3:
[03:32] That I can do most willingly.

Speaker 4:
[03:44] How are you coming, Jeanne? Is the strimmonium ready? I'm almost finished pulverizing the leaves, Sister Beata.

Speaker 3:
[03:49] Oh, good. Hopefully it will help with Ms. Yoron's asthma.

Speaker 4:
[03:54] Should I put it in the jar? Please. Here you are, Sister.

Speaker 1:
[04:00] Thank you.

Speaker 3:
[04:03] You look a bit pale, Jeanne.

Speaker 1:
[04:05] Are you feeling all right?

Speaker 4:
[04:06] I'm just a little tired.

Speaker 5:
[04:08] You do work long hours here at the hospital.

Speaker 4:
[04:11] I love being here, Sister. I think it's because I stayed up late last night. Our church had a mission that lasted several hours.

Speaker 5:
[04:21] Then get some good rest tonight, will you?

Speaker 4:
[04:24] Yes, Sister.

Speaker 3:
[04:46] Jeanne, what a lovely voice you have.

Speaker 4:
[04:49] Good morning, Sister Beata. I didn't know anyone was around.

Speaker 5:
[04:53] I love that song. I've been thinking of my childhood.

Speaker 4:
[04:56] Mine too.

Speaker 3:
[04:57] How are you feeling today? I hope you got some good sleep last night.

Speaker 4:
[05:01] I did. Thank you, Sister.

Speaker 5:
[05:04] But you still look a bit pale. I'm going to get you a tonic, sage perhaps.

Speaker 4:
[05:09] Please don't bother. I'm fine, really.

Speaker 5:
[05:14] But when you're finished here, I'd like you to go home. Your voice sounds like an angel, Jeanne, but even angels need to… Jeanne!

Speaker 3:
[05:23] Sister Regina, come quickly! Jeanne has fainted!

Speaker 4:
[05:36] Oh, no, oh, no, I can't, I can't do it, please.

Speaker 3:
[05:44] Jeanne, Jeanne, wake up.

Speaker 4:
[05:48] What? Where?

Speaker 3:
[05:53] It's me, Marielle. The sisters brought you here to my house when you took ill at the hospital.

Speaker 4:
[06:00] Your house? What happened?

Speaker 3:
[06:04] You fainted. Your fever was very high. And you've been sleeping ever since they brought you here.

Speaker 4:
[06:11] I don't remember anything.

Speaker 3:
[06:14] No, of course you don't. But thank God your fever has finally broken. You're going to be fine.

Speaker 4:
[06:22] I'm just so tired.

Speaker 3:
[06:26] Then go back to sleep, dear friend.

Speaker 4:
[06:31] I would like to sleep.

Speaker 3:
[06:35] Sleep is what you need.

Speaker 4:
[06:41] Marielle.

Speaker 5:
[06:44] Hello, Jean. Marielle has gone out shopping. My name is Fanchon.

Speaker 4:
[06:50] Fanchon?

Speaker 5:
[06:51] My real name is Francoise, but everyone calls me Fanchon. I'm an old friend of Marielle's. We've known each other since we were in catechism class together, so I do mean old friend.

Speaker 4:
[07:06] You don't look old.

Speaker 5:
[07:07] Thank you, Jeanne. I'm blessed to have good health, thanks be to God. And speaking of health, Marielle wanted me to come over and keep an eye on you while she's out.

Speaker 4:
[07:17] I'm fine. In fact, I'd like to get up.

Speaker 5:
[07:21] I don't think that would be wise. Marielle says you're so recovering.

Speaker 4:
[07:26] But I want to get dressed. I have to go to work.

Speaker 5:
[07:29] Please, Jeanne, get back in bed. Marielle said… oh, here she is now.

Speaker 3:
[07:35] Jeanne, what are you doing getting out of bed?

Speaker 4:
[07:38] I have to get back to the hospital.

Speaker 3:
[07:40] No, my dear, you have to rest.

Speaker 4:
[07:44] But they need me to…

Speaker 3:
[07:46] Jeanne, the sisters don't think you're strong enough for hospital work.

Speaker 4:
[07:52] But I am, Marielle. I love working at the hospital.

Speaker 5:
[07:57] I'll leave you two alone.

Speaker 3:
[07:58] Thank you for coming, Fasho.

Speaker 5:
[08:00] I'll see you tomorrow.

Speaker 3:
[08:01] Of course.

Speaker 5:
[08:02] Goodbye, Jeanne. Do get some more rest.

Speaker 3:
[08:07] Jeanne, please get back in to bed.

Speaker 4:
[08:10] I'm not tired, Marielle. I'd like to get dressed.

Speaker 3:
[08:14] Oh, you definitely have the gift of persistence. All right. We'll get you dressed, and then you can come downstairs for something to eat. I made potato soup before I left.

Speaker 4:
[08:27] What did you mean? I can't work at the hospital anymore?

Speaker 3:
[08:34] Sister Beata said you have a tendency to work too hard.

Speaker 4:
[08:39] Because I love working there. I love the sisters. I love the patients.

Speaker 3:
[08:45] She doesn't think you have the strength needed to continue, that you need to find other employment.

Speaker 4:
[08:53] What does that mean? Where can I find other employment?

Speaker 3:
[08:59] I'd like to hire you.

Speaker 4:
[09:02] What?

Speaker 3:
[09:03] I need someone to help me in the kitchen. And with the housework, it's all becoming too much for me.

Speaker 4:
[09:09] But...

Speaker 3:
[09:10] I'd also like your companionship, Jeanne. We could go to our Third Order meetings together, and when we have extra food, we could go out to help those in need. What do you think?

Speaker 4:
[09:26] I think I'd like that. Excuse you. Please, help me.

Speaker 5:
[09:42] Someone help me.

Speaker 4:
[09:44] There are poor beggars on every street corner and every alleyway. Look at that man sitting in the gutter. Miriel, do you have any more food?

Speaker 1:
[09:55] I haven't eaten for two days.

Speaker 3:
[09:56] I just gave that woman my last piece of bread.

Speaker 4:
[10:00] Fanchon, do you have anything to give him?

Speaker 5:
[10:03] A small slice of cheese and a bit of sausage. I'll give it to him now. Here you are, Ms. Yeo. Thank you.

Speaker 1:
[10:10] Thank you from the bottom of my heart. May the Lord's blessing be on all of you.

Speaker 4:
[10:15] God bless you too. Jeanne! That's all.

Speaker 3:
[10:25] I think I need to go home now. Suddenly, I feel very tired.

Speaker 5:
[10:31] You look pale, Marielle.

Speaker 3:
[10:33] I think I need to lie down.

Speaker 4:
[10:44] Here, take my arm, Myrielle.

Speaker 3:
[10:47] Thank you, Jeanne.

Speaker 5:
[10:50] Jeanne, look.

Speaker 4:
[10:52] Myrielle, there's blood on your handkerchief.

Speaker 3:
[10:56] I'll be all right. I just need to go home.

Speaker 4:
[11:07] Drink this, Miriel.

Speaker 3:
[11:10] What is it?

Speaker 4:
[11:12] A tonic the sisters used in the hospital. Marshmallow root and honey.

Speaker 3:
[11:24] That's good.

Speaker 4:
[11:26] Take another sip.

Speaker 3:
[11:28] I will if you say so, but... I'm not going to recover.

Speaker 4:
[11:34] Of course you will. I'm going to nurse you day and night, bringing you tonics and broth. I will not sleep until you are well.

Speaker 3:
[11:55] I'm sorry to disappoint you, dear one, but I'm not long for this world.

Speaker 4:
[12:01] Don't say that.

Speaker 3:
[12:04] The Lord has whispered in my ear.

Speaker 4:
[12:07] What did He say?

Speaker 3:
[12:10] Come home.

Speaker 4:
[12:13] Marielle, what would I do without you?

Speaker 3:
[12:21] Fanchon is a good friend. She won't fail you. Even though she's almost as old as I am, she's much healthier.

Speaker 4:
[12:31] I love Fanchon, but she'll never take your place.

Speaker 3:
[12:36] Remember, I'll always be praying for you. If it's true what they say, my prayers will be even stronger when I'm in heaven.

Speaker 4:
[12:48] Oh, Miriel.

Speaker 3:
[12:50] I'm leaving you the rest of my money and all of my belongings. Though they're not worth very much, I'm afraid. I wish I had more to give you.

Speaker 4:
[13:02] You've given me your love and friendship.

Speaker 3:
[13:05] The Lord has blessed us, hasn't he?

Speaker 4:
[13:10] He has indeed, my friend. The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord! Dear Jesus, what am I going to do without Miriel? My heart is aching. What is my purpose now? When I was 18, I clearly heard your voice telling me I had special work to do. Now, so many years have passed, Lord. I have been patient, but today I long to begin. When will that work begin? When?

Speaker 2:
[14:20] Hi, this is Peter Atkinson from The Merry Beggars. Tune in to episode three, A Zeal for Souls, to hear the next installment of Jeanne Jugan. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at thesaintspodcast.com.

Speaker 1:
[14:38] Mary Beggars is the Entertainment Division of Relevant Radio.