The role of elderly and infirm religious: Their witness and mission

In his apostolic exhortation Vita Consecrata (“The Consecrated Life”), Pope John Paul II writes, “Caring for the elderly and the sick has an important place in the fraternal life, especially at times like the present when in some parts of the world the percentage of elderly consecrated persons is increasing. The care and concern which these persons deserve arise not only from a clear obligation of charity and gratitude, but also from an awareness that their witness greatly serves the Church and their own institutes, and that their mission continues to be worthwhile and meritorious even when for reasons of age or infirmity they have to abandon their specific apostolate” (No. 44).
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is blessed with numerous religious communities, several of which have infirmaries located within the Archdiocese. Since my arrival in Philadelphia, I have visited several of these infirmaries and I had the opportunity to meet the residents and celebrate Mass for them. Among those which I have visited already are the Jesuit community at Manresa Hall (February 14), the Sisters of Mercy at McAuley Convent (March 29), the Sisters of Saint Joseph at their Villa in Flourtown (July 11), the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart in Yardley (July 25), and the Sisters of Saint Francis of Philadelphia at Assisi House in Glen Riddle (August 1). These visits afforded me the occasion to extend gratitude to the sisters, brothers and priests for their many years of dedicated service, as well as to express the solidarity of the faithful of the entire Archdiocese as now these elderly and infirm religious assume another significant mission in the Church: The witness of prayer and perseverance in the midst of suffering.

Memories of role models 
When we consider the aged and infirm religious, immediately we are transported to the days of our youth when many of us had the blessing of being taught by religious sisters, brothers and priests. Vivid memories of the dedication with which they taught as well as their concern for the spiritual and religious formation of their pupils are easily recalled with renewed gratitude. Additional mention must be made of those religious who dedicated their lives to Christ through their care for the sick, the poor and through other forms of social service. In so many ways, they brought the compassion of Christ and the charity of the Church to those most in need.
In recalling those religious who immersed themselves in the apostolates of education, healthcare or social service, we recall women and men who were role models for how to live generously the faith we profess in Jesus Christ. Strengthened by the Eucharist and by their common and personal prayer, these women and men showed their commitment to following Jesus by faithfully living the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience. These women and men stood out as heroes to be emulated as they, in their everyday example, led others to Jesus.
While their advanced age and infirmity prohibit them from actively engaging in such missions, they remain intimately involved in their communities. As the Holy Father writes, “The elderly and the sick have a great deal to give in wisdom and experience to the community, if only the community can remain close to them with concern and an ability to listen.”(No. 44).

The Contemplative Life
Special mention must be made of the significance of the contemplative religious life. In addition to my visits to the infirmaries, I have made it a priority to visit the cloistered communities which are located within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. I have visited and celebrated Mass for the Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (Pink Sisters), the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, the Order of Saint Clare (Poor Clares), the discalced Carmelite Nuns, and the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd. These contemplative sisters provide tremendous assistance and support to the Archbishop, the clergy, the active religious, indeed all of the faithful of the Archdiocese, by their unceasing prayer for our needs. Adding these precious cloistered communities along with the houses of the retired and infirm religious, the Archdiocese is blessed with “powerhouses of prayer,” places where all of us can find prayerful assistance, the example of perseverance, and genuine spiritual wisdom.
I encourage the faithful of the Archdiocese to show their support by praying for our retired and cloistered religious. Also seek from these dedicated religious their prayers which are so needed for our world today, and in special ways for our parishes, schools, institutions, as well as for priests, an increase in vocations, and for families with children. All of these intentions remain dear to the hearts of our cloistered and retired religious and these religious are anxious to support us with their prayers, as well as through the offering of their sufferings. “More than in any activity, the apostolate consists in the witness of one’s own complete dedication to the Lord’s saving will, a dedication nourished by the practice of prayer and penance. The elderly are called in many ways to live out their vocation: by persevering prayer, by patient acceptance of their condition and by their readiness to serve as spiritual directors, confessors or mentors in prayer.” (No. 44).

The reward for fidelity
In the Second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy, the apostle, imprisoned and awaiting his martyrdom, writes: “For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day” (2 Tim 4: 6-8). Our aged and infirm religious, as they reflect on lives well spent in service of Christ and the Church, can certainly make those words of Saint Paul their own. Let us all be grateful for the gift of the witness of our religious sisters, brothers and priests — particularly those who are retired and infirm — and let us pray that Christ Jesus will bless and reward them for their fidelity. Let us pray also for our active and contemplative religious that they too will be blessed for their loving and joyful service and that the Lord will grant them an increase in vocations.