World Day for Grandparents & the Elderly 2024

Pope Francis’ Message for the Fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

This year the fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly falls on July 28th, two days following the feast day of Saints Joachim and Anne. It was in January 2021, at the end of his Angelus, where Pope Francis announced the establishment of this dedicated day of celebration. The significance of the announcement, was it falling two days prior to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Pope Francis said, (in regards to Simeon and Anna’s recognition of Jesus as the Messiah) “the Holy Spirit even today stirs up thoughts and words of wisdom in the elderly....old age is a gift and that grandparents are the link between generations, passing on the experience of life and faith to the young. Grandparents are often forgotten and we forget this wealth of preserving roots and passing on.”

#elderlyandgrandparents

We suggest that the celebration of the Day - as usual - be structured around two fundamental elements: the celebration of a Eucharistic liturgy dedicated to the elderly, and the visitation of lonely elderly people within one’s own community.

PDF document of pastoral guidelines

(also below for copy and paste requirements)

 For Pope Francis, that the Lord may bless and protect his ministry, and for the Church led by him, that it may be a more welcoming home for grandparents and the elderly. Let us pray.

 For all us elderly people, that we may continue to look towards the future and, with our experience and our prayers, that we may continue striving to build a more fraternal world. Let us pray.

 For young people, that they may offer the bread of their vitality to the Lord, rather than keeping it for themselves, so that He may multiply it; and that the world may rejoice in the overflowing joy of a new embrace between young and old. Let us pray.

 For all us grandfathers and grandmothers, that we may be a source of wisdom for our families, and that we may learn to pass on the treasure of faith to our grandchildren and to the newer generations. Let us pray.

 For an end to every war in every part of the world. We beseech the Lord to grant consolation to those who have lost loved ones, healing to the wounded, a return home to prisoners, and that ways of dialogue and peace be found everywhere. Let us pray.

 In order for the message of closeness and consolation - the message that the Day wants to express - to reach everyone, including those who are most isolated, we suggest paying a visit to the lonely elderly people within one’s own community and sharing the Holy Father’s message with them.

 The visit, a tangible sign of the outgoing Church, is a way to reaffirm that the elderly, even the loneliest, are at the centre of our communities.

 The visit manifests the personal choice, following the example of the young Ruth, not to abandon anyone.

 The visit can be an opportunity to bring a gift, such as a flower, and to read the message and prayer of the Day together.

 The encounter between young and old, and the friendship that can arise, shows how the mercy of the Lord extends from generation to generation.