2023-07-23

2023 World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly

Third World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly
"His mercy is from age to age".

The fourth Sunday in July is now dedicated to seniors and grandparents. This date was chosen because of its proximity to the feast of St. Anne and St. Joachim, celebrated on July 23 in memory of Jesus' grandparents. Pope Francis wishes to pay tribute to the elderly, underlining their importance in society and in the spiritual and social lives of
young people. It's an act of tenderness that shows a presence towards them while at the same time valuing them.
The theme chosen by Pope Francis for this year's World Day is "His mercy is from age to age" (Luke 1:50).

What can we do in our diocese?

Here are a few ideas, a few ways to celebrate this day in your parish:

• That one of the Masses on Sunday, July 23 be dedicated to celebrating this Day with grandparents and elders from the parish or community. Find a way to highlight their presence.
• That parishioners organize transportation for seniors who can't come to church on their own.
• On July 23, or a few days before or after, symbolically invite seniors to a meal.
• Prepare a café-rencontre or picnic to encourage intergenerational encounters and listening.
• Pope Francis has published "Treasures of Wisdom: Words for the Elderly". Publicize this beautiful little book and invite members of the community or families to offer it as a gift to a senior citizen. 

• At Mass, (by a show of hands) collect the riches of seniors, inviting them to share their faith commitments.
• At the entrance to Mass, invite people to write prayer intentions for seniors; collect them and place them at the foot of the altar at the end of the prayer intentions.
• Invite parishioners to read the Pope's message on seniors and grandparents.During the celebration, the young people could give it to them.

Apart from these few suggestions, we are convinced that each parish community will
find the best way to creatively celebrate this day in its own context. May the World
Day of Grandparents and Elderly People truly be for all a feast full of the joy of the
Gospel