Dementia prayer week begins today until March 19th
Dementia Prayer Week, which was previously run by the Pastoral Care Project , is now being promoted by the Religious order of The Redemptorists. They are also known as the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (CSsR). The hope is that, through our prayers, we can offer support and spiritual care for those suffering with Dementia. The invitation to prayer is also in support of those who are caring for loved ones and who try to cope with distress which this dreadful illness brings to all involved.
The symbol of the ‘Forget me not’ flower is an important part of our ‘remembering’.
I recently lost my cousin, who was very close to me, and who was afflicted with Alzheimers and I find the message of the Forget me not flower very comforting. Forget-me-nots symbolize true love and respect. When you give someone these tiny blooms, it represents a promise that you will always remember them and will keep them in your thoughts. The Alzheimers Society have chosen this flower because of this.
The Prayer offered by the Redemptorists is this –
Loving God, Healer and Comforter, we pray for those who suffer from the anxiety, ambiguity and confusion of dementia, and in a special way for their caregivers.
Give them patience as they work through familiar daily scripts and questions asked, answered
and asked again.
Give them long memories to recall the fullness of their loved one’s life beyond these moments of forgetting.
Give them the grace to let go of what was and embrace what is in love.
When the pain of being forgotten and the grinding trials become too much,
comfort them with the promise of your Resurrection
where every tear shall be wiped away and we shall know each other once more.
God of all mercies, sustain those who care for others.
Grant them what they need for the moments ahead.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
[Mr G]
Mr G's Ponderings 