Pope Francis, a super-senior himself and an exemplary human being, has chosen the fourth Sunday of July as the day of Grandparents and Elders. (Reason for the date: close to the feast of Saints Joaquim and Anne). We, therefore, dedicate this July issue to Seniors.
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At retreats for college students, I used to ask them, “Do you love your parents?” They would reply in a loud chorus: “Yes!”
“It is too early to say, “I would tell them. “Right now, you need them. They are paying for your studies. They are the ones who will see to your marriage arrangements. You want them alive and healthy right now. Tomorrow, when you do not need them, when they are weak, and you are strong, we shall see who among you all love your parents.”
Agree?
During those retreats, we would take them to the home for the aged run by the Missionaries of Charity. Each student would spend an hour or so talking with one of the inmates. The meeting moved a number of them. The students realized that several of those seniors had grown up sons or daughters living in the same city, but who hardly ever visited them.
What about us, religious and priests?
The reality is, here again, mixed. Some are lovingly looked after, others less so.
A Catholic laywoman who is active in the church once told me, “Whenever I visit the home for our retired priests, I cry. These are men who have worked for us all for years. Now, in their old age, many are neglected. The home itself is not maintained well.”
There are also excellent examples of care. (See the articles that follow.)
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In the nineteenth century, the average lifespan was very low. Example: In Don Bosco’s time, the average lifespan in Turin (the city where he lived) was just thirty-five years.
Lifespan worldwide rose to some fifty-two years by the beginning of the last century. It shot up during the last hundred years, as nutrition and medical care improved—at least for a part of the world population.
Now, thanks to better food, antibiotics, vaccinations, hospitals and better hygiene, we live longer.
So, the proportion of older persons in society has grown.
In some countries, the government provides financial support for them (pension, medical insurance, etc.). Elsewhere, seniors depend almost entirely on their family—or on charity.
In India, some seniors live at home. Others (who can afford it) live in homes for the aged on payment. A few, who are destitute, are looked after by charitable organizations.
Some need financial support. All need love and care.
This issue looks at this situation. The first article is by a journalist who lives in a Catholic home for the aged. She helps us look at the some of the issues seniors face today. Next, we listen to two Sisters (SD and LSP) whose congregations are devoted to caring for the elderly, especially the poor. We also listen to a superior who has been caring for sick and aged religious. And interview a senior priest noted for his joyful and open spirit.
In “They Cared,” you will meet good people from different backgrounds whose compassion speaks volumes.
An issue not addressed here is the care of elderly religious and priests. This is a huge issue in the so-called “first world,’ where the majority of church personnel are senior. The average age of Sisters in Europe and North America is in the mid-seventies. We can learn from their experience, and prepare for a future when we too will be facing similar demographics. Right now, that is not a pressing issue for most religious orders or dioceses in India.
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You will notice three new columns: ONE: Tips for Teachers” (launched in the last issue), which, hopefully, will help the many who are teachers and help superiors to animate teachers; TWO: “Help Me Grow Up!” (starting this month), which is aimed at formees and other young people (since India has the world’s largest number of seminarians and young religious); and THREE: Interviews with Nurses, since all of us need to understand their service and appreciate them a lot more.
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With the current improvements in medicine, many of today’s youth may live to be one hundred. Science can add years to our life; it is up to us to add life to our years.
May we all add life to our years, and help those who are in the final stages of life to have a meaningful, peaceful and well-supported period of life.
Whatever we have become or claim to have achieved, was done with the help of many good and caring people. We did not create things from scratch. We built on others’ achievements.
We need to care for those who cared for us—and for those for whom no one seems to care.
We owe them much. They need us now.
Happy Elders’ Day!
Fr Joe Mannath SDB
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