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The upcoming weekend of December 7-8 presents an opportunity for the faithful to support over 20,000 elderly religious individuals who have served in the Catholic Church. This annual collection is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) and takes place at Masses in participating dioceses across the United States.
According to a news release from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, this collection offers "crucial financial aid to qualified religious institutes, enabling them to address the growing needs of their retired members." Many of these religious individuals have dedicated their lives to education, parish ministries, and social services with minimal financial compensation. As they age, there is a significant gap between care costs and available resources.
Rising healthcare costs add to this challenge, with those over age 70 outnumbering younger members nearly three to one. The NRRO reports that in 2024, 71% of communities providing data indicated a median age of 70 or higher.
Launched in 1988 due to inadequate retirement funding for religious communities, the collection raised $29.3 million in 2023. However, supporting retired religious exceeds $1 billion annually. The average annual care cost per individual is approximately $59,700, increasing to $90,700 for skilled nursing care. Meanwhile, their average Social Security benefit is only $8,551.
NRRO Director John Knutsen stated: "The selfless dedication of these religious has enriched countless lives. Your generosity ensures they receive the care they deserve in their retirement." He emphasized that supporting aging religious is a shared responsibility and a way to express gratitude for their lifelong service.
The website retiredreligious.org shares stories like that of Father Maury Smith and Sister M. Stephanie Belgeri who have benefited from this fund. Father Smith highlights the need for donations for essentials like food and housing: “We owe it to them to take care of them.”
Sister M. Stephanie acknowledges contributions that enabled improvements such as building an infirmary: “Thanks to your generosity, we can provide the very best care."
Since its inception in 1988, more than $973 million has been distributed through this collection for daily care support and long-term planning projects.
