The Membership Booklet of the Auxiliary of the Little Sisters of the Poor includes 10 “Beatitudes for the Friends of the Aged,” written by Esther Mary Walker. They are as follows:
Beatitudes for Friends of the Aged
Blessed are they who understand
my faltering steps and shaking hand.
Blessed are they who know that my ears today
must strain to catch the words they say.
Blessed are they who seem to know
that my eyes are dim and my reactions slow.
Blessed are they who look away
when my coffee gets spilled during the day.
Blessed are they with a cheery smile
who stop to chat with me for a while.
Blessed are they who never say
“You’ve told that story twice today.”
Blessed are they who know the ways
to bring back lovely yesterdays.
Blessed are they who make it known
that I am loved, respected and not alone.
Blessed are they who know the loss
of strength I need to bear the cross.
Blessed are they who ease the days
of my journey home in loving ways.
Auxiliary of the Little Sisters of the Poor