The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly falls on Sunday 28 July 2024. Pope Francis has given the day the theme "Do not cast me off in my old age" c.f. Psalm 71:9
Sunday, 28 July 2024
Here you can read the full message from the Holy Father as well as a filmed reflection from President of the Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Vincent Nichols. You can also use our prayers and links to help you celebrate the day.
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.
Listen to our Lead Bishop for Marriage and Family Life, Bishop David Evans, talk about the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
A video reflection on the lives of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, the parents of Mary and, of course, grandparents of Jesus.
The National Office for Vocation has useful resources for celebrating the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on its website: ukvocation.org/grandparentsday
Sunday Mass
Invite your grandchildren and family to attend with you, a wonderful way to start the day’s celebration.
Prayer
Take time to pray as a family and individually, giving thanks for our grandparents and elderly that we know of. Below you will find a section with prayer resources.
Family Dinner
Make time for a family dinner over the weekend where every member and generation of the family are invited.
Parish Picnic
After the Mass on the Sunday, bring the families and elderly parishioners together for a picnic in the parish garden or in the local park if there is one close by. Maybe the young people can help serve.
Visit the elderly
Visit one of your elderly relatives or someone in the parish who doesn’t have family nearby. You could encourage children to make cards for the elderly on your street.
To be a grandparent is a very special role in the Church. As you love your Grandchildren, love them enough to give them the gift of faith, by sharing your faith with them. For more information on the Catholic Grandparents Association of England & Wales, please visit their website here.
Pope Francis' message for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2024, Reminds us that God never abandons his children, never. He chose the theme: “Do not cast me off in my old age” (cf.Ps 71:9).
On this special day when we celebrate grandparents and the elderly, we pray for Mary, Mother of all the living, to keep grandparents constantly in her care.
Pope Francis has instituted a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. The theme of the third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is, “His mercy is from age to age” (Lk 1:50) which takes us back to the joyful meeting between the young Mary and her elderly relative Elizabeth.
Pope Francis' message for the second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly reassures the older generation that Old age is no time to give up and lower the sails, but a season of enduring fruitfulness: a new mission awaits us and bids us look to the future.
Pope Francis has instituted a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Identifying with the more senior members of our society, he says “The whole Church is close to you – to us – and cares about you, loves you and does not want to leave you alone!”
