The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is encouraging the faithful to recognize the contributions of retired women and men religious by donating in December to an annual collection described in a Nov. 3 USCCB press release as “a lifeline for our aging religious.” 

The average annual cost to care for senior religious is $56,600 per person, according to the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO), which coordinates the collection. If skilled nursing is required, the cost averages $96,000 per person, according to the release. 

“For decades, women and men religious have devoted their lives to service through countless Church ministries, often for little to no pay,” the release reads. “Today, their communities face a severe gap between the rising cost of care and the limited resources available.” 

Only 4% of religious communities that report to NRRO stated that they were adequately funded for retirement, according to the USCCB. 

The Retirement Fund for Religious will be taken up on Dec. 13 and 14. The collection supports religious communities’ retirement funds and retired religious’ day-to-day care, as well as educational programs for elder care and long-term retirement planning, according to the release.

John Knutsen, director of NRRO, emphasized in the release that religious men and women have “touched countless lives.” 

“Through your generosity, we can help ensure they are cared for with the dignity they so rightly deserve while also living out the values of compassion and solidarity that unite us as disciples of Jesus,” he said. “Supporting our aging religious is a profound opportunity to show gratitude for their lifetime of service, and we hear all throughout the year how deeply thankful they are for that support.”