A Bangkok priest challenged Catholics to reject the notion that aging diminishes a person’s value, telling hundreds of elderly faithful that they remain “guardians of the treasures of memory, faith, and wisdom of the Church.”
Fr. John Baptist Somkiat Trinikorn, a respected biblical scholar and renowned Catholic speaker, delivered the message during a gathering of elderly Catholics from across the Archdiocese of Bangkok at Baan Phu Waan in Samphran, west of the Thai capital, on May 29.
The seminar was held under the synodality theme, “The Elderly Walk Together for God’s Work: We Will Leave No One Behind,” bringing together hundreds of senior parishioners to reflect on their role in the Church and society.
Fr. Somkiat noted that many elderly people must cope daily with declining mobility, health concerns, dietary restrictions, and other challenges associated with aging. Yet their enthusiasm and attentiveness throughout the day demonstrated a remarkable spirit of dedication.
Guardians of memory, faith, and wisdom
In his presentation, Fr. Somkiat described elderly Catholics as “guardians of the treasures of memory, faith, and wisdom of the Church.”
“The work of caring for the elderly is not merely social service,” he said. “It is the mission of the Church. The elderly are not a burden to society or the Church; they are a blessing.”
Drawing on Scripture and Catholic teaching, he emphasized that older persons continue to play an essential role in God’s plan.
Quoting the Book of Sirach, he highlighted the biblical appreciation of wisdom gained through age and experience. He reminded participants that many of God’s chosen servants, including Abraham and Moses, received their most important missions later in life.
He also pointed to Simeon and Anna in the Gospel of Luke as examples of elderly believers whose faithfulness enabled them to recognize the coming of the Messiah.
“They were not people without a role,” he said. “They were guardians of hope. The elderly still have a mission. They remain witnesses of faith and hope for future generations.”
Fr. Somkiat further cited the command in Leviticus to honor the elderly, stressing that respect for older persons is not simply a cultural value but a divine mandate.
A church that remembers
Reflecting on the teachings of the Church, Fr. Somkiat recalled the frequent message of Pope Francis that “the elderly are the memory of a people.”
“If society cuts itself off from its elderly, it loses its roots,” he said.
He warned against what Pope Francis has called the “throwaway culture,” in which both the young and the old are often marginalized or overlooked.
The priest underscored the Church’s unwavering teaching that every human person possesses inherent dignity regardless of age, health, productivity, or physical ability.
“Human dignity does not come from efficiency or usefulness,” he said. “It comes from being created in the image and likeness of God.”
For that reason, he added, elderly people retain their full dignity even when they are frail, ill, forgetful, or dependent on others for care.
A mission of love
Fr. Somkiat stressed that pastoral care for the elderly is not simply another parish activity but a ministry of presence, listening, and compassion.
“Sometimes the elderly do not need long sermons,” he said. “They need someone to listen, someone to hold their hand, someone who remembers their name.”
He encouraged those involved in elderly ministry to move beyond providing assistance and instead build genuine relationships. He urged parishes to place prayer, the sacraments and the Word of God at the center of their outreach efforts.
Many elderly people, he noted, carry hidden burdens of grief, loneliness, loss and disappointment.
Listening to their stories can become a source of healing and renewal.
A continuing vocation
One of the central themes of the seminar was the conviction that aging does not bring an end to a person’s mission.
“The elderly still have a vocation,” Fr. Somkiat emphasized. “They can pray, witness to their faith, share their experiences, and continue proclaiming the Good News.”
He reminded participants that even simple acts of presence can have profound spiritual significance.
“Sometimes a visit to an elderly person may be the last visit of their life,” he reflected.
“They may not remember everything that was said, but they will remember that God sent someone to them.”
