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When I was in the Philippines, the people greeted me, saying, “Lolo, Kiko”—meaning “Grandpa Francis.”
The first important thing to stress about old age is this: it is true that society tends to discard us, but the Lord definitely does not. The Lord never discards us. He calls us to follow him in every age of life, and old age has a grace and a mission, too, a true vocation from the Lord.
Old age is a vocation. It is not yet time to “pull in the oars.” This period of life is different from those before it, there is no doubt; we even have to somewhat “invent it ourselves,” because our societies are not ready, spiritually and morally, to appreciate the true value of this stage of life.
Indeed, it once was not so normal to have this time available; it is much more so today. Christian spirituality has also been caught somewhat by surprise with regard to outlining a kind of spirituality of the elderly. But thanks be to God, there is no shortage of the testimony of elderly saints, both men and women.
I was really moved by the day dedicated to the elderly that we had there in St. Peter’s Square last year. The square was full.
I listened to the stories of elderly people who devote themselves to others and to stories of married couples who said, “We are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary,” or “We are celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary.”
It is important to present this to young people who tire of things so easily. The testimony and witness of the elderly in fidelity, in perseverance, is important.
The prayer of grandparents and other elderly is a great gift for the Church. It is a treasure. It is a great injection of wisdom for the whole of human society. Above all, this is so for those who are too busy, too taken up, too distracted.
Let us look at Pope Benedict XVI who chose to spend the final span of his life in prayer and listening to God. This is beautiful!
A great believer of the last century, of the Orthodox Tradition, Olivier Clément, said, “A civilization which has no place for prayer is a civilization in which old age has lost all meaning. And this is terrifying. For above all, we need old people who pray; prayer is the purpose of old age.”
We need old people who pray because this is the very purpose of old age. The prayer of the elderly is a beautiful thing.
We are able to thank the Lord for the benefits received and so fill the emptiness of the ingratitude that surrounds us.
We are able to intercede for the younger generation and give dignity to the memory and sacrifices of past generations.
We are able to remind ambitious young people that a life without love is a barren life.
We are able to say to young people who are afraid, that anxiety about the future can be overcome. We are able to teach the young who are overly self-absorbed that there is more joy in giving than in receiving.
Grandfathers and grandmothers form the enduring “chorus” of a great spiritual sanctuary where prayers of supplication and songs of praise sustain the community which toils and struggles in the field of life.
Lastly, prayer unceasingly purifies the heart. Praise and supplication to God prevents the heart from becoming hardened by resentment and selfishness.
How awful is the cynicism of an elderly person who has lost the awareness of the meaning of his life and life-story, who scorns the young, and who does not communicate the wisdom of life!
How beautiful, however, is the encouragement an elderly person manages to pass on to a young person who is seeking the meaning of faith and of life!
This truly is the mission of grandparents, the vocation of the elderly.
The words of grandparents have special value for the young. And the young know it. I still carry with me, always, in my breviary, the words of my grandmother consigned to me in writing on the day of my priestly ordination. I read them often, and they do me good.
How I would love to have a Church that challenges the throw-away culture with the overflowing joy of a new embrace between the young and the old! This is what I ask of the Lord today, this embrace.
Excerpted from the general audience of Pope Francis, March 11, 2015
