The Gift of Wisdom
Following Pope Francis writing on the occasion of the XXIII WYD:
"Dear young people you need the wisdom and vision of the elderly. (...) They will tell you things that will excite your mind and touch your heart."
Following on from the success of the Seniors are Your Grandparents campaign, through which so many young people were allowed to virtually hug their grandparents and grandparents of their choice, the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life invited young people from all over the world to give the elderly a voice to receive a gift of wisdom from them.
The young people posted on social networks a memory, a counsel, a gift of wisdom from one of the elderly with whom they have established a link.
Beautiful lyrics can be found on the hashtag #aGiftOfWisdom:
- Aging: blossoming or suffering?
- Life: stronger than auschwitz!
- Elderly priest: out-of-date priest?
- Papi, be faithful: is it possible?
- Aging together: aging better?
- Being old: for what?
I discovered there:
Juliane is 96 years old, a survivor of the concentration camps, she has a face full of great serenity and a very soft voice to share her memories. When she arrived at the camp, she knew it was going to be very hard, but "if they don't kill me, they won't get me." "Beneficial" experience, she says, which helped her overcome major hardships such as the inhuman death of a child. She speaks of forgiveness, mission, hope and above all wants to say to young people, often pessimistic, how beautiful life is!
Papi, is it possible to be faithful? André is 88 years old his wife died four years ago but they were married for 58 years. Father and grandfather of a very large family, he talks about the very special relationship he has with his grandchildren. He talks about the love that has united his couple that has grown stronger with each birth of a child. He tells us about fidelity, the beauty of marriage, courage, hope and the importance of his memories to transmit.
Elderly priest: out-of-date priest? Father Jean Guy is 87 years old, a priest for 59 years. "It's the old man who's good and next year it's the diamond wedding…" he says humorously. Canonically he has no mission, he is retired. To the young priests he wants to say: "Continue, never discourage yourself, your mission is that of Jesus, go ahead, don't be afraid!" This is what he also says to young people who want to devote themselves to the priesthood "do not be afraid, there are difficulties that must be overcome with the Lord" To young people he says again: "Never be discouraged by adults, prepare yourself for real life by deepening the meaning of your life."
He tells us that with old age he still has a lot to live: "As long as you want, Lord, Thank you Lord."
With Pope Francis,
Let us offer young people our wisdom
It is said, and I am pleased to say, that old age
Is for life seat of wisdom.
Like the old Simeon and Anne,
Older people have the wisdom to have lived.
And it was this wisdom that allowed them to recognize Jesus.
It is up to us to offer this wisdom to young people.
Like wine that gets better over the years,
Let us offer our wisdom to the youth.
A German poet said of old age
That it was a time of peace and prayer,
A time to pass on to young people
The wisdom of the elderly.
Page prepared by Monika Ptak