--- title: "Prayer of an Ageing Jesuit: Optimism" description: And please, Lord, let me still be useful contributing to the world my optimism, image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Lighthouse%20on%20the%20beach%20at%20dawn.jpg --- ###### [Check out Our latest insights on Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog) [![Centre for Optimism_Logo](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.centreforoptimism.com) - [Subscribe](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/subscribe) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - [The Optimism Principle](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple) - [Need Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/services-and-workshops) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - [Victor Perton - That Optimism Man](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/victorperton) - [Magnetic Optimism for Organisations](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/magnetic-optimism-workshops) ![Close Icon (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20Icon%20(3).svg) ![Search (2)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Search%20(2).svg) ###### [Spirituality and Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/spirituality-and-optimism) , ###### [Prayer](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/prayer) , ###### [Christian Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/christian-optimism) # Prayer of an Ageing Jesuit: Optimism And please, Lord, let me still be useful, contributing to the world my optimism, adding my prayers to the joyful fervor and courage of those who now take their turn at the helm.  **Prayer of an Ageing Jesuit** Dearest Lord, teach me to grow gracefully. Help me to see that my community does me no wrong when gradually it takes from me my duties; when it no longer seems to seek my views. Rid me of my pride in all the “wisdom” I have learned. Rid me of the illusion that I am indispensable. Help me in this gradual detachment from earthly things to grasp the meaning of your law of time. Teach me, in this turnover of work and workers, to discern a striking expression of life’s constant renewal under the impulse of your providence. And please, Lord, let me still be useful, contributing to the world my optimism, adding my prayers to the joyful fervor and courage of those who now take their turn at the helm. Let my lifestyle now become one of humble and serene contact with the world in change, shedding no tears for the past; making of my human sufferings a gift of reparation to all. Let my leaving the field of action be simple and natural – like a glowing, cheerful sunset. Lord, forgive me if only now in my tranquillity I begin to know how much you love me, how much you’ve helped me. And now, finally, may I have a clear, a deep understanding of the joyful destiny you have prepared for me, guiding my every step from the first day of my life. Lord, teach me to grow old … just so.   This prayer first appeared in the newsletter of the Venice-Milan Jesuit province in May 1973. It has since been translated and widely reprinted.  Shared with me by Bishop Philip Huggins, NCCA President .   [Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton) ##### Keep up to date with the latest from Centre for Optimism ##### We appreciate any contribution you can make to help us spread optimism with the world [![Give Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436) #### Here are some similar articles ###### [Spirituality and Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/spirituality-and-optimism) , ###### [Julian of Norwich](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/julian-of-norwich) #### [Refreshed Optimism from Norwich: Julian’s Message of Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/norwich?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/norwich?hsLang=en) ###### [Spirituality and Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/spirituality-and-optimism) , ###### [Freedom](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/freedom) , ###### [Kindness](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/kindness) , ###### [Podcast](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/podcast) #### [Kindness, Optimism and Freedom with Leon Logothetis](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/leonlogothetisonfreedom?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/leonlogothetisonfreedom?hsLang=en) ###### [Spirituality and Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/spirituality-and-optimism) , ###### [Fiji](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/fiji) #### [Neeraj Chadha's Cause for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/neeraj?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/neeraj?hsLang=en) ## Connect With Us ##### We love to connect with everyone who is ready to open up and share their optimisim. - [![Facebook 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Facebook%202.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/optimistsvoices/) - [![instagram (6)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/instagram%20(6).svg)](https://www.instagram.com/centreforoptimism/?hl=en) - [![linked in 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/linked%20in%202.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/centreforoptimism/) - [![youtube (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/youtube%20(3).svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFd4GnToz3WLasQSfsz_z8w) - [![twitter](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/Centre4Optimism) #### Keep up to date with the latest from The Centre for Optimism ##### Contact Us Call Us: [+61 417 217 241](tel:+61%20417%20217%20241) (Australia) PO Box 5081, Garden City, Victoria 3207, Australia ##### [The Centre for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? 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