World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Sunday, July 28, 2024, is the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Established by Pope Francis in 2021, the day is celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday of July near the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. It is meant to serve as a joyful and renewed encounter between young and old. The theme for this year’s celebration, selected by the Holy Father, is “Do not cast me off in my old age" (Psalm 71,9). The Vatican says the theme was "meant to call attention to the fact that, sadly, loneliness is the bitter lot in life of many elderly persons, so often the victims of a throwaway culture."

"There is now a widespread conviction that the elderly are burdening the young with the high cost of the social services that they require, and in this way are diverting resources from the development of the community and thus from the young. This is a distorted perception of reality. It assumes that the survival of the elderly puts that of the young at risk, that to favor the young, it is necessary to neglect or even suppress the elderly," Pope Francis said in his message for the day. "Intergenerational conflict is a fallacy and the poisoned fruit of a culture of conflict. To set the young against the old is an unacceptable form of manipulation: “What is important is the unity of the different ages of life, which is the real point of reference for understanding and valuing human life in its entirety” (Catechesis, 23 February 2022).

Pope Francis asked that on this fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, we show our love for the grandparents and the elderly members of our families.

"Let us spend time with those who are disheartened and no longer hope in the possibility of a different future. In place of the self-centered attitude that leads to loneliness and abandonment, let us instead show the open heart and the joyful face of men and women who have the courage to say “I will not abandon you”, and to set out on a different path."

Prayer

Lord, faithful God, you who created us in your image, you who never leaves us alone and who accompanies us through every season of life, do not abandon us, take care of us, and grant us, once again, the ability to discover ourselves and recognize that we are Your children.

Renew our hearts with your Word and do not allow anyone to be cast aside. May your Spirit of love fill us with your tenderness and teach us to say: “I will not abandon you!” to those we meet on our journey.

With the help of your beloved Son, may we not lose the taste for fraternity and may we not conform to the sadness of loneliness. Help us to look to the future with renewed hope, and make the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly a day without loneliness, and a day abundant with the first fruits of your peace. Amen.

Catholic Grandparents Association

The Catholic Grandparents Association has been at the forefront in campaigning for a greater recognition of grandparents for their role and vocation in passing on their faith to the next generation.

“Grandparents and the elderly are often overlooked, but this new day in the Universal Church calendar is a momentous achievement for grandparents and the elderly and will hopefully reassure them that they are loved and that they are needed,” said Fr. Daniel Greenleaf, pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in Lewiston.

In that spirit, Prince of Peace Parish in Lewiston has established the first chapter of the Catholic Grandparents Association in the Diocese of Portland. The group seeks to support grandparents as they seek to pass on their faith to their grandchildren. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month following the 7 a.m. Mass in the chapel of the Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul on 122 Ash Street in Lewiston.

Celebrations in the Diocese of Portland

Our Lady of Hope Parish, Portland

A Mass in celebration of the memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, will be celebrated on July 25 at 7 p.m. at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue in Portland. An ice cream social will follow the Mass.