WASHINGTON — On the weekend of Dec. 13-14, the faithful will have the opportunity to support more than 21,000 elderly sisters, brothers and religious order priests.
Coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO), the annual collection taken up by participating (arch)dioceses, including the Diocese of San Diego, helps provide critical financial assistance to eligible religious institutes caring for their retired members.
For decades, women and men religious have devoted their lives to service through countless Church ministries, often for little to no pay. Today, their communities face a severe gap between the rising cost of care and the limited resources available. In 2024, religious past the age of 70 outnumbered younger religious by nearly three to one, and only 4% of communities reporting to the NRRO said they were adequately funded for retirement.
“Supporting our aging religious is a profound opportunity to show gratitude for their lifetime of service,” said the office’s director, John Knutsen, “and we hear all throughout the year how deeply thankful they are for that support.”
Since its inception, the collection has distributed more than $1 billion to religious institutes across the United States, supporting day-to-day care and helping religious communities build up their retirement funds.
For more information, visit retiredreligious.org.
