Gray hair a crown of glory, bishop reminds world

KOTTAPURAM, Kerala (Indian Catholic News) — A Catholic bishop says we should not view the elderly as “old clay pots” or “termite‑eaten old umbrellas,” but as “an inexhaustible treasure trove” of faith, sacrifice, and wisdom.

“As we observe Elderly Day, we remember with gratitude the greatness, the unfathomable experiential wisdom, and the silent, uncomplaining presence of the elders in our homes and society,” said Bishop Ambrose Puthenveettil of Kottapuram.

The Catholic Church honours the elderly, a tradition strengthened in 2021 when Pope Francis declared a day — fourth Sunday of July — dedicated to them in connection with the feast of St. Joachim and St. Anne on July 26.

Scripture views the elderly with deep respect. Proverbs 16:31 states, “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life,” Bishop Puthenveettil wrote in the July edition of Didimos, the diocesan bulletin.

Although Joachim and Anne are not extensively referenced in Scripture, Christian tradition highlights their role in raising Mary. “If Mary was able to grow into a God-fearing daughter, a courageous girl who said ‘yes’ to fulfilling God’s will…we can say without a doubt that the example, love, care, and discipline of these exemplary parents lay behind it,” Bishop Puthenveettil said.

Modern challenges

Today’s world prioritizes youth, productivity, and technology, often leaving behind “human lives that have become fragile forms whose streams of tears have dried up—relegated like a rolled-up mat in a corner or abandoned like useless objects in a single room.”

As families shift from joint households to nuclear homes, the elderly risk isolation. “It is welcome news that the state’s new government is formulating welfare schemes for senior citizens,” Bishop Puthenveettil noted. “The Church always desires to walk hand-in-hand with the elderly. Today, our mission is to bring the elderly and the isolated to the shores of youthfulness and community.”

Pope Francis had called the elderly “Keepers of Memory,” emphasizing their role in preserving family history, cultural heritage, and faith. “The elderly are a perpetual asset to the younger generation—not only by teaching them to cross themselves and pray, but also through value-driven stories and living testimonies,” Bishop Puthenveettil said.

Pope Leo, in his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, reminded the faithful that human dignity should not be measured solely by productivity. “We have a duty to view elders and the elderly with care—not just in the month of July, but throughout our entire lives,” Bishop  Puthenveettil said. “Let us open a window of care in our hearts so that no one feels isolated.”

As the Church celebrates the feast of St. Anne and St. Joachim, the bishop urged families and parishes to approach the elderly with greater respect. “Paths of faith built on tradition, firm sacrifices born of hard work, and knowledge that surpasses ChatGPT still remain as an inexhaustible treasure trove within the elderly,” he said.

Full pastoral circular available: original Malayalam and AI‑generated English translation.