The first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated on Sunday July 25th, before the feast of Saints Anne and Joachim, ‘Jesus’s grandparents.’  

Plenary indulgences may be obtained through participating in Mass (virtually if one cannot attend), or by visiting an elderly person ( see more at the Vatican website).

Pope Francis reminds of the precise mission of our elders as holy, faithful people of God.  They are companions on our common pilgim journey in Faith.  They keep and pass on the Faith to our younger generations.

'Keep His commandments, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that the Lord your God is giving you...make them known to your children and your children's children...' (Deuteronomy 4:39-40; 4:9-10).

The prayers of the elderly can protect the world (Benedict XVI).

‘Grandparents, before their grandchildren, will dream, and young people, taking strength from their grandparents, will go forward and prophesy (see Message from Pope Francis; Joel 2:28).

Prayer for the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

I thank You, Lord, for the comfort of Your presence:
even in times of loneliness,
You are my hope and my confidence,
You have been my rock and my fortress since my youth!
I thank You for having given me a family and for having blessed me with a long life.
I thank You for moments of joy and difficulty, for the dreams that have already come true in my life and for those that are still ahead of me.
I thank You for this time of renewed fruitfulness to which You call me.
Increase, O Lord, my faith, make me a channel of your peace, teach me to embrace those who suffer more than me, to never stop dreaming and to tell of your wonders to new generations.
Protect and guide Pope Francis and the Church, that the light of the Gospel might reach the ends of the earth.
Send Your Spirit, O Lord, to renew the world, that the storm of the pandemic might be calmed, the poor consoled and wars ended.
Sustain me in weakness and help me to live life to the full in each moment that You give me, in the certainty that you are with me every day, even until the end of the age. Amen.

Image: Joachim's Dream by Giotto