With our aging population, there are many individuals who already need or will need caregiving. This caregiving can take place at home, in an assisted living facility or in a long term care facility.  Care can be provided by paid caregivers, but many caregivers are family members or friends.  This care can range from partial care to round – the- clock 24 hour care. Much has been written about the challenges and rewards of caregiving but not as much has been available on the spirituality of caregiving. 

           Spirituality can mean different things to different people,  at different stages in their life. But what does spirituality mean and what place does it have for caregivers?  The  Senior’s Task Group of the United Church of Canada has defined spirituality as a dynamic dimension of the Spirit of God within us – body, mind and soul.  It calls us into relationship with God, self, community (others) and creation as we journey through life and beyond.   Finding meaning in their role as caregiver can be seen as a basic spiritual issue for many caregivers.  What meaning can be found in the role of care giver? 

            One way is for the caregiver to view this stage of life with the care-recipient as a pilgrimage, that wherever the caregiver and care-recipient are, this is sacred ground.  Just as Jesus was traveling with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, so too is Jesus traveling with caregiver and care recipient on this sacred journey.  One may  go on to the next world and one may stay  behind.  This can be a once-in-a- lifetime experience: a walking with God that can never be duplicated or repeated.  Everyday tasks of care giving will take on new meaning when interpreted in this way.

            The Old Testament story of Ruth can be seen as a powerful example of caregiver and care-recipient on a journey.  Ruth becomes caregiver for Naomi, her mother-in-law,   and makes a solemn promise to her. “Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you! For wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge, your people shall be my people and your God shall be my God.” (Ruth 1:16). Later when Ruth and Naomi reach Bethlehem, the roles are reversed when Naomi becomes the care give. This relationship now becomes  reciprocal , for Naomi advises  Ruth on how to provide for both of them.. This is certainly an inspiring story for caregivers.  This story can also show us that it is not just the care-recipient who receives blessings from this relationship, but the caregiver can also receive many blessings. 

                       Another especially meaningful way to view the caregiver’s role is that of a vocation, given by God.  The work vocation comes from the Latin verb, “vocare – to call,” and through the needs of the person needing care, God is calling the family member or friend to the vocation of caregiver.

            The Friends of St. John the Care Giver is an international Catholic organization addressing the growing needs of family caregivers.   It takes as its patron St. John the Evangelist,  renaming him St. John the Caregiver.  Christians usually think of John as the “beloved disciple,” and the writer of the fourth Gospel.  This group cites the following passage from the Gospel of John as their reason for naming him the patron saint of caregivers.   "When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold your son.' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother.' And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.”  (John 19:26-27) With these words, Jesus called John to be the caregiver for his mother.         

            Are you a caregiver? If yes, take some time this week to think about your vocation as care giver.  God has called you to be an agent of God’s love and care.  If you know someone who is a care giver, let the caregiver know how valuable and inspiring their vocation is.  Then follow it up with something practical you can do for them.   St. John, the caregiver, pray for us.