I Am With You Always

World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly

Sunday, July 25, 2021

In June of this year, the Vatican released the news that Pope Francis instituted a Church-wide celebration of a World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly. Beginning this year, the celebration will be held on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the liturgical memorial of Sts. Joachim & Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.

"I Am With You Always," the theme chosen by Pope Francis expresses the closeness of the Lord and the Church to every older person, especially in these challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic. This theme is also "a promise of closeness and hope that young and old can mutually share." The Pope said, "The voice of the elderly reminds us that old age is a gift, and that grandparents are the link between teh different generation, to pass on to the young the experience of life." On this World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly, our parish will offer a special blessing for the elderly.

Our parish and the Lumen Christi Cohort are offering a special Mass to homore Grandparents on the memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, July 26. This is our second year to invite grandparents, grandchildren, and children to recognize the family role of grandparents. "How important grandparents are for family life, for passing on the human and religious heritage which is so essential for each and every society! how important it is to have intergenerational exchanges and dialogues, especially within...the family." ~ Pope Francis.

You can find more information regarding ways to honor the elderly on this day and every day on the Marriage Ministry page.