World Day for Grandparents

and the Elderly

 

 

Pope Francis has decided to institute the Church-wide celebration of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Starting this year, it will be held on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.

Cardinal Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, pointed out that “this is the first fruits of the Amoris Laetitia Family Year, a gift to the whole Church that is destined to continue into the future. The pastoral care of the elderly is a priority that can no longer be postponed by any Christian community.  In the encyclical Fratelli Tutti, the Holy Father reminds us that no one is saved alone. With this in mind, we must treasure the spiritual and human wealth that has been handed down from generation to generation”.

Elderly
This is the theme chosen by the Holy Father for the II World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2022

  On Sunday, July 24, 2022, the Second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated throughout the universal Church. The theme chosen by the Holy Father for the occasion is ...

The Elderly
Celebrating the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly all over the world

"I invite you to celebrate this Day in every community and to visit grandparents and the elderly, those who are most alone" said Pope Francis after Sunday’s Angelus and all over the world ...

Elderly
The Holy Father’s words after the Angelus

Pope Francis, who was unable to attend the liturgy in St. Peter's in person, wanted to personally greet the grandparents and elderly who had just participated in the celebration of the first Day ...

Elderly
Liturgy in St. Peter's for the first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly

For many of the 2,000 elderly people present in St. Peter's last Sunday, celebrating the first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly was the first opportunity for them to leave the forced ...

Elderly
The official prayer of the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly recited by Pope Francis in a video

In preparation for the upcoming World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life is making a video available in which grandparents and the elderly from all over the ...

Elderly
Vittorio Scelzo's intervention in "Vita Pastorale" on the occasion of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.

"Establishing the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly should be read in light of other positions expressed during Pope Francis’ pontificate. He moves from a broad conception of the holy ...

The Elderly
Press conference for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly and the Holy Father’s Message

"After such a difficult year there is a great need to celebrate, together, grandparents and grandchildren, young and old." With these words, Card. Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the ...

Press Release
Theme for the First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Sunday 25 July will see the celebration of the First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. The theme chosen by the Holy Father for this World Day is “I am with you always” (cf. Mt 28:20) which ...

Elderly
Address of Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello on the institution of the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly

On 11 February, l’Osservatore Romano published an address of the Secretary of the Dicastery, Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello, I. Sch., on the institution of the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, ...

Elderly
Cardinal Farrell “this is the first fruits of the Amoris Laetitia Family Year"

  As announced today after the Angelus, Pope Francis has decided to institute a Church-wide celebration of a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Starting this year, it will be held on the ...

Video of the Angelus

Video of the celebration

Prayer

Video-message

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly