Today, April 11, 2026, we, the members of the Vincentian Family, pray for the forgotten elderly in institutions.
Many elderly people live out their final years in deep loneliness—in nursing homes, hospitals, and care facilities where silence replaces affection, and no one calls them by name.
As Vincentians, we are called to see their worth, listen to their stories, and honor their dignity. Every elderly person is a treasure, never to be cast aside.
Today we pray for those who feel abandoned behind closed doors. May they receive tenderness, companionship, and the love that consoles.
Word of God
“Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.”
(Psalm 71:9)
Prayer
Lord of all ages, stay close to the elderly who feel forgotten. Open our eyes to see them and our hearts to care for them. May no one end their days without love. Amen.
On this same day, we also celebrate:
—The foundation of the Sisters of Charity of St. Jeanne-Antida Thouret, established in 1799 in Besançon, France. Founded by St. Jeanne-Antida Thouret, a Daughter of Charity formed in the Vincentian tradition, the Congregation arose in the turmoil following the French Revolution to care for the poor, educate girls, and serve the sick. Committed to living the Gospel in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul, the Sisters rapidly expanded their mission across Europe and beyond. Today, they continue their service in schools, hospitals, and pastoral ministries in over 30 countries, bearing witness to the charity of Christ through humble, loving presence among the most vulnerable.
—The foundation of the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate, established in 1909 by Fr. Thomas Augustine Judge, C.M., in Alabama, USA. Born as a lay missionary movement, its purpose was to awaken and deepen the missionary spirit of the laity, especially among the poor and marginalized. Rooted in Vincentian spirituality, the Cenacle Apostolate promotes the Catholic faith through evangelization, service, and formation, encouraging all people to become apostles in their daily lives. Over time, it gave rise to several religious branches, including the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity and the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity, extending its mission across the Americas and the Caribbean.
—The foundation of the Sisters Disciples of the Sacred Heart, established in 1929, in Acaya, Italy. Founded on April 11, 1929, by Mother Santina Addolorata De Pascali—formerly a Compassionist Sister—this Pontifical Institute is rooted in a profound devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Committed to caring for children, youth, and the elderly, the Sisters operate preschools, university residences, retirement homes, and social outreach programs. Present across Italy and reaching as far as Madagascar and Canada, they continue to live out a joyful mission of education, companionship, and heartfelt service, all centered on the love of the Sacred Heart.
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