Saint Teresa cared
Many times, society looks at the elderly as if nothing is left for them—thinking that since death is the final destination anyway, people stop caring once someone gets old. The forgotten ones become invisible.
Saint Teresa of Jesus Jornet Ibars (her religious name “of Jesus” combined with her family surname “Jornet Ibars”) saw this reality in her time. Born in 1843 in Spain, she became a teacher but soon felt called to serve God in a deeper way. At only 30 years old in 1873, she founded the Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly. For her, the elderly were not burdens but treasures. She gave them food and shelter, yes—but more than that, she gave them dignity. She prayed with them, listened to them, and reminded them that their lives still had meaning.
The irony is that Saint Teresa never reached old age herself. She died in 1897 at the age of 54, taken by tuberculosis. Maybe that was God’s way of saying, “You won’t carry those struggles yourself—I’m asking you to carry them for others.” She gave her best years to ensure the elderly would not be abandoned. And today the Church honors her mission with a memorial every August 26, a reminder that even when death is certain—love, dignity, and care must never end.
𝚃𝚢𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙾𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙱𝚕𝚞𝚎
𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚛.𝚌𝚘𝚖
Seems Nothing Is Left for the Old
Still in bed, sick and old
Aging with time
Looking for pleasures no more
Just thirst for care
At night they’re feeling tired
But just can’t sleep
There’s no cry of pain
The pain is just kept within
Seems nothing is left for the old
Or nothing at all
Dark visions and loss hearing
And poor sense of touch
No more sense of belonging
No one dares to care
