Dignified twilight
“Dignified twilight!” Can twilight be dignified and gracious?
“Dignified Twilight” was published in late 2025 by Pauline Publishers. In this book, twilight signifies old age.
As a spiritual guide, the book shows the way to make old age more dignified, worthwhile and gracious.
Whenever I visit Catholic churches on Sundays as part of our mission to introduce spiritual books, I meet a considerable number of people in their old age.
Living in a superaged Korean society, where more than 20 percent of the population is aged 65 or older, resources for those who grow old are in demand. Especially living in Andong, where I can feel society aging in many ways, “Dignified Twilight” inspires me to reflect on ways that lead elders to live dignified and happy lives.
The original title is “To Grow in Love: A Spirituality of Ageing, Dying, and Glory”, written by Jesuit priest Brian Grogan, a professor of spirituality at Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy in Dublin, Ireland. Another Jesuit priest, Lawrence Hak-joon Kim, translated it into the Korean language.
After retirement, Fr. Brian Grogan planned for the last phase of his life, but everything was burned in an unexpected fire. Nothing was left. The data on his computer, his clothes, his house and everything else was gone in a moment. He had to begin again.
This book was born as a fruit of his lifelong devotion and experience of spreading Ignatian spirituality. Probably because of this, every chapter invites us to remain in prayer and entrust everything to God.
He wrote this book when he was in his 70s, in 2011. He revised it in 2017, when he was in his 80s.
When people discuss old age, the topics they most commonly raise are maintaining good health, financial independence and good relationships with others. However, “Dignified Twilight” suggests a relationship with God as the key point in retirement.
Based on Ignatian spirituality, this book talks about three steps of spirituality — aging, death and glory — that lead us to deepen our relationship with God and remain in prayer.
The author defines old age not as a time of decline but as a period of profound spiritual maturity when love for others and God deepens. Old age is a new chapter of growing more fully in God.
Truly what matters most is God, for we came from God and we will return to God. Upon the faithful relationship with God comes everything: Health, money, comfort, communion, riches, happiness and success are the gifts from God.
When I remember my mother, who passed away at the age of 100, the most precious thing to her was her relationship with God. She enjoyed singing hymns, praying the rosary and the Liturgy of the Hours, and attending daily Mass. Looking at her, I can say that faith makes old age dignified and gracious.
“Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (Figlie di San Paolo) living and giving the good news to the world by means of social communication. Learn more about the congregation at fsp.pauline.or.kr.