The idea of sensus fidelium has always appealed to me, but even more so now that I have attained my elderhood. It is obvious that human beings learn from human experience and thereby gain some wisdom of heart with advancing years. For instance, everyone in the Dublin inner city, even the dogs in the street it seems, knew that Matt Talbot was a saint; but still he has not yet been officially cononised. People do learn one way and another over the years, what is good, true and wise and contributes to human flourishing. Nor is this learning always painful; in fact it seems to happen effectively often when humour is involved. Some years ago in a large religious community of women, awareness about inclusive language was low; and the sisters regularly recited the following response at morning prayer:'Lord Jesus we are your brothers.' One sister complaining about this exclusivity for a long time did no good, until she hit on a plan. Waiting until the community assembled for breakfast, she began to enquire:"So, how are all the brothers today?" Only then did the prayer response gradually change to Lord Jesus we are your brothers and sisters.' Such small edges of not-so-small wedges bring about awareness of sinful exclusions in large ways, of those who are different. Sexism is one such modern sin. And another related difference for our time, is age. Many cultures do acknowledge the wisdom of age and show respect and deference to their grey haired generations. Experience, even of failure, does not have to embitter us but instead, can enrich life with acceptance, peace, humour and expanding tolerance. My friend Ruth is an Elder in her local Presbyterian church. This suggests to me that they know something in that church about sensus fidelium which has been forgotten in most of the ageist West. I must ask Ruth. If you would like to respond please send an e-mail kskeane@eircom.net