Brescia Hosts Vital Workshops Addressing Care for Aging Religious Women
A series of workshops designed to enhance the well-being of aging religious women will be held in Brescia,Italy,offering crucial support and guidance to those who serve in communities and infirmaries. the initiative, a collaboration between the diocesan Union of Superior Majors (USMI), the Paoline bookshop, and the Mater Divinae Gratiae center, underscores a growing need to address the complex challenges faced by this population.
The workshops,scheduled for March 2,9,and 16,from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the Mater Divinae Gratiae center (via S. Emiliano, 30, Brescia), are titled “care is taking care.” They aim to equip caregivers with the tools and understanding necessary to provide holistic support, recognizing that spiritual devotion alone is insufficient to alleviate physical and emotional suffering.
According to a leading expert involved in the program, “the number of religious women who, after having spent their lives in the service of others, entrust themselves to the care and tenderness of those who assist them in the time of age-related pathologies is growing.” This demographic shift necessitates a more nuanced approach to care, one that acknowledges the unique needs of individuals facing advanced age and illness.
The workshops will be led by Professor Marco Trabucchi, with coordination provided by Sister Grazia Paris. A key theme explored will be the potential for isolation and lack of stimulation within infirmary settings. As one participant noted, “Thinking of them, we sometimes make the mistake of believing that love for the Lord is able to prevent the physical and mental pain of those who live in an infirmary, where they receive adequate supports which, however, certainly cannot compensate for a day without stimuli, each surrounded by sisters bearer of one’s own suffering, a condition that does not always facilitate relationships.”
The program emphasizes that while prayer and faith are valuable coping mechanisms, they cannot replace the need for practical assistance, social interaction, and intellectual engagement. “Prayer helps to face the hardships of life, but it would be a grave sin if communities believed that thinking of the Lord alone erases the difficulties that come with living at a very advanced age, often in conditions of illness,” the expert stated.”The Lord needs our availability and competence.”
Those interested in registering for the workshops can contact Sister Grazia Paris, the USMI Delegate, at 3494337110 or via email at [email protected]. This initiative represents a vital step toward ensuring dignified and compassionate care for those who have dedicated their lives to service.
Why: The workshops were created in response to a growing number of aging religious women needing specialized care. The initiative aims to improve the quality of life for these women by addressing not only their spiritual needs but also their physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being.
Who: The workshops are organized by the diocesan Union of Superior Majors (USMI), the Paoline bookshop, and the Mater divinae gratiae center. They will be led by Professor marco Trabucchi, with coordination from Sister Grazia Paris. The target audience is caregivers of aging religious women.
What: The workshops, titled “Care is taking care,” will provide caregivers with tools and understanding to offer holistic support. They will focus on the importance of addressing isolation, lack of stimulation, and the limitations of relying solely on faith to alleviate suffering.
How did it end?: The workshops are scheduled to take place on March 2, 9, and 16 at the Mater Divinae Gratiae center in Brescia, Italy. Registration is open to interested parties via Sister Grazia Paris at the provided contact details.The initiative is
