By Lavoisier Fernandes
My octogenarian parents came from quite a different age. Unlike my parents, a few of that generation migrated to British India and Africa. Post Colonial migration generally consisted of migrating to the city, which was a few kilometres away from the village or to a major city in India – in search of work, and some chose to settle there in order to provide their children a better life and an education. Furthermore, it was common for one spouse to support their family by working in the Gulf or on certain maritime jobs. Because permanent international migration was prohibited by not so favourable legislations, this kind of temporary movement was only undertaken for employment.
Growing up in the city in my native state of Goa as a millennial, I watched my parents have steady jobs that did not pay well, they saved for the future without having to worry about taking out loans or mortgages, and generally lived within their means without worrying about guaranteed pensions free from market swings. Compared to today’s 24/7 work culture, their professions included less travel for work; they were essentially classic “9–5” jobs with a healthy work-life balance that included family prayer life. I also grew up seeing my dad accomplish his Christian duty of caring for his father, my grandfather. The affection and kinship between generations was fostered and strengthened by my grandmother’s regular trips from the village and vice versa. While acknowledging the good times, challenges, and financial hardships faced by that generation, this did help keep the family stable and strong without bringing it to disintegration. This was the norm for most families in the years before globalization, just as it was for me.
Fast-forward and things have changed significantly. We now live where the world is a global village. The process of globalization has made the world a highly interconnected environment where people, places, things, and society are all becoming increasingly interrelated. International migration has increased dramatically in response to the promise of greater job prospects, a higher standard of living, and better educational chances. Nonetheless, some of these migrations have also been unintentionally caused by a herd mentality frenzy.
One could say that globalisation has always existed, and that globalisation has brought in loads of benefits, be it in better healthcare where the average life expectancy and health has increased. Undoubtedly, globalization has also resulted in improved communication methods. For example, elderly people can now press a button to connect with their overseas children. Despite these benefits, there are drawbacks to globalization, particularly for families. These include and to name a few-erratic work schedules and the disintegration of families which in turn has affected the care for the elderly.
Biblical and Catholic Church’s Understanding.
The book of Sirach, also called Ecclesiasticus, is one of the most fascinating books in the Bible. It was translated into Greek by his grandson after being composed in Hebrew by a man by the name of Joshua. The passage from Sirach 3—which is typically read on the feast of the holy family—talks on the assistance, thankfulness, obedience, and deference that adult children should show to their elderly parents, especially during “illness, loneliness, or distress.” It is made clear in the fourth commandment, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you,” which has served as the basis for religious and moral systems throughout history.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church rightly also sees this commandment as anchoring the heart of the social order calling the family “a domestic church,” “a privileged community” and the “original cell of social life.”
Globalisation of Indifference and The Throwaway Culture
Pope Francis has made “old age” a pastoral priority of his pontificate. Alongside migration and climate change, he has said that it is one of the most urgent issues facing the human family at this time. The Holy Father has consistently spoken against the globalisation of indifference and the throwaway culture, that has resulted in isolation, rejection and loneliness of the elderly, leading to psychological distress; and crimes against older people.
In 2021 Pope Francis instituted a Church-wide celebration of a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly which has been celebrated on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. The theme for the 4th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on the 28th July 2024 is “Do Not Cast Me Off in My Old Age,” which comes from Psalm 71.
In summary, Pope Francis through his Catechesis, Encyclical and pastoral writings on old age and care for the elderly has emphasized the following:
- The Elderly as a Reservoir of Wisdom: Pope Francis sees the elderly as a “reservoir of wisdom” for society, with much to teach the younger generations about the meaning of life. He encourages a “covenant between young and old” to foster healthy intergenerational relationships and learning.
- Abandonment and Neglect of the Elderly: The Holy Father laments that the elderly are often “abandoned” and neglected in modern society, which is overly focused on youth and productivity.
- The Elderly as a Blessing and Gift: Pope Francis sees longevity and old age as a “blessing” from God. He says the elderly can become “instruments of the history of salvation” and continue to bear “new fruit” even in their weakness and vulnerability.
- Pastoral Care for the Elderly: The Holy Father urges the Church to change its “pastoral habits” to better respond to the growing presence of the elderly in families and communities. He says the Church must learn to see the elderly not just as a past to be remembered, but as the present and future, with new possibilities for holiness, service, and prophecy.
Caring For the Elderly Is a Challenge with Spiritual Fruits and Rewards
Is caring for the aged and aging a burden or a blessing? Unfortunately, lots of us will be facing this situation – if we are not already. In today’s globalized world of unpredictable work hours and with children no longer living next door to their aging parents, taking care of the elderly is a challenge if not an opportunity for sainthood. This is especially true for Catholics who seek to live in obedience with the Lord’s Commandments.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2218) also shows that those who observe the Fourth Commandment will be rewarded – “that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you. Respecting this commandment provides, along with spiritual fruits, temporal fruits of peace and prosperity. Conversely, failure to observe it brings great harm to communities and to individuals.”
Upholding the Fourth Commandment entails more than just keeping our parents and other elderly family members safe; it also entails frequent visits, actively participating in their later years by providing for their material and spiritual needs. This does not stop with elderly in our immediate family but involves caring for the elderly in our communities as well— like the elderly man who lives alone up the street or the older couple who attends the early morning Mass on Sundays.
As Catholics, we are called to do more than live peacefully in private. We are called to be better sons and daughters to our community’s elderly. These are indeed difficult decisions and require families and communities to collaborate, dialogue, sacrifice, discern, pause ,pray, ponder, and prepare.
Lavoisier Fernandes, born and raised in Goa, is currently based in West London. His faith is “work in progress”- and a lifelong journey. He has always been fascinated by the Catholic faith thanks to his Salesian schooling and his passion is podcasting, theology, the papacy, volunteering.
He has hosted the ‘Talking Faith’ series for Heavens Road FM Catholic Radio, connecting with ordinary men and women within the Catholic faith, other faiths and examining issues affecting both Church and society and has also hosted the ‘Heart Talk’ series for Shalom World Catholic TV. In 2018 one of his podcast -Mental Health and the role of the Catholic Church was shortlisted for the Jerusalem awards in UK. Presently contributes for the Goa Diocesan magazine – Renovação, Mumbai Diocesan magazine – The Examiner, the only digital Indian Catholic portal – Indian Catholic Matters and the Faith Companion Magazine in England.