The process of aging of religious sisters from Kerala, India

• Main Author: Manalayil, Aniamma
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2003
• Subjects: Aging > Religious aspects; Nuns; Religious life
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/3052
• Institution: De La Salle University

The process of aging as experienced by the Adoration Sisters is the focus of the study. The subjects were 20 retired sisters of Pavitrathma Province, India. Key informant interview, a constructed questionnaire and a telephone in-depth interview were the methods used in collating the data for this study. Results revealed that happy memories of childhood, smooth mid-life, positive environment and wholesome experiences during their initial formation into religious life, are some of the factors that contributed to a healthy journey of the retired sisters through the normal process of developmental stages in their life. In addition they reported that community life, regularity of schedule, as well as their personal and communal prayer life and meditation, supported to, adjust and understand to the reality of aging and to accept their gradual limitations of capabilities, especially with regard to their physical well-being. Results of the study also revealed that later adulthood is valued as the time to serve as the spiritual wisdom figures that the young members seek in order to gain insight, advice and draw vision from what is in store for them in the future. The sisters are still carrying roles of responsibilities which reflect the help given by the congregation in applying the law of gradualism / active aging to assist them to progressively enter into full retirement. The over all experiences of the respondents across the different stages in their life and formation experiences show that in general, they are passing through the process of aging with a feeling of fulfillment in their apostolate with positive attitude towards life, and a favorable attitude towards death. All these indicate of a process of graceful aging.