Celebrate World Day For Grandparents and the Elderly with these free resources.
The Vatican has instituted its 5th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday, 27th July. We are all called to identify with the more senior members of our society, assure them that the whole Church is close to them and cares about them – that she loves them and does not want to leave them alone.
As the Pope says, we should cherish the elderly and recognise that there’s no retirement age from the work of proclaiming the Gospel and handing down traditions to grandchildren.
In preparation for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, we’ve created a poster taking a closer look at Anna and Simeon’s story in Scripture and the great example they set us of a prayerful life. Share this in your church or school as you celebrate this special day on the fourth Sunday of July.
Papal Message – “Blessed are those who have not lost hope” (cf. Sir 14:2).
These words, taken from the Book of Sirach, express the blessedness of the elderly and indicate hope placed in the Lord as the way to a Christian and reconciled old age.
In this Jubilee year, the Day is intended to be an opportunity to reflect on how the presence of grandparents and the elderly can become a sign of hope in every family and church community.
The Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life renews to everyone the Pope’s invitation to celebrate the Day in every diocese, and to dedicate the celebrations of Sunday 27 July to the elderly, promoting visits and opportunities for encounters between the generations.
We've prepared this new resource to help you discover more about your extended family in the Bible and their life stories.
