We, the elders are summoned

Pope Francis has the elderly in his heart and,  throughout  his pontificate and on all occasions, he has always  highlighted  the role that the elders have in the transmission of faith, in dialogue with young people and in safeguarding the roots of peoples.

We, the ancients do not doubt the wealth which means a long life, we know these riches well,  as we are also aware of our difficulties.  We are used to not taking up much space, we feel “limited”  living in our world, a little thrown away.  This is the “limitation” imposed by the society (and sometimes  by the family and the Church) despite our desire to still be involved actors.

"It is necessary to regain sensitivity for the different ages of life, especially those of children and the elderly, the delicate and frail ones, often vulnerable.  These are parts of the human soul and sensibility that demand to be heard and recognized, kept and appreciated, by everyone and by  the community.  A society where everything can be bought or sold is a society that has already lost the meaning of life.  »

The World Congress of the Pastoral care of the elderly, "The Wealth of years", convened in January in Rome, is the response of the dicastery of the Laity, Family and Life to this request of the Holy Father.  Lay movements involved in the pastoral care of the elderly, such as Ascending Life, are invited to it.

Pope Francis once again puts the elderly in their  place, considering that we have a role in the family  and in the Church and in society.  Convene a Congress to concretize a pastoral care of the elderly is to make their words a reality, not to leave them as good thoughts or abstract statements. This congress aims to create a specific space, it will be "the place of the grandfather in the family", it is to give the example "with Peter" of how this stage of human life must be valued throughout the whole Church.

"The logic of the gospel is learned among the little ones, the poor, the sick and all those on the periphery of life. Each Christian is a sacrament of God's tenderness.  Young people are unemployed and older people live in solitude, we all need care and companionship.  »

“We seniors are all fragile, some are particularly weak, many are alone or sick. They depend on essential treatment and the attention of others; shall we take a step back? Will we abandon them to their destiny? A society where gratuitousness and disinterested affection disappear is a perverse society. "

This time of reflection on the presence of elders in our societies should allow the Church to give them a real place.  The Pope recognizes the contribution of the apostolicity and the holiness of the elders, the faithful love they show in devotion to their families, and in their concrete commitment, throughout their lives, in the works of mercy.

This Congress marks the moment to renew our hope, to feel part of the mission, to expand our little world. Whatever we have accumulated in life as experience, we can give it away. Let us value the wealth that age means, to feel that we are still pastoral agents distributing this wealth, who speak and give their opinion, and who also participate. Let this be an opportunity, for us the elders, to feel valued and to be able to bring the richness of our years to the youngest.

Oswaldo Montferrand