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“Do not cast me off in my old age” (Psalm 71:9)
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The Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life have come up with some very practical resources to celebrate this day.
Message from Pope Francis
Message du Pape François
Catechesis | Catéchèses
Official Prayer | Prière
Pastoral Suggestions
Suggestions PastoralesPlenary Indulgence
The Vatican has granted a plenary indulgence to anyone who visits a sick, lonely, or disabled elderly person on the fourth annual World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly on July 28.
Those who are grandparents or elderly themselves can also receive a plenary indulgence, as well as anyone who participates in religious functions connected to the celebration, as long as the usual conditions are fulfilled.
The usual conditions to obtain a plenary indulgence are to be detached from all sin, to receive sacramental confession and holy Communion, and to pray for the pope’s intentions.
A person who cannot leave his or her home due to sickness, infirmity, or another serious reason can also obtain the plenary indulgence if they “unite themselves spiritually to the sacred functions” of the day, “offering to the merciful God the prayers, pains, or sufferings of their lives, especially during the various celebrations which will be broadcast through the media,” De Donatis decreed.'"
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Pope Francis has called for a day to honour grandparents and the elderly.
On Sunday, July 23, young people are encouraged to celebrate their grandparents or elderly neighbours / friends in their life. Parishes are encouraged to share the special prayer for this day and young people are encouraged to hand deliver or send Pope Francis' message for grandparents and the elderly.
Here are some suggestions of how young people could honour their grandparents / the elderly:
- Share prayer & papal message with them (print it out or send the link)
- Visit them or give them a phone call / video chat.
- Give or send flowers
- Bake something sweet for them
- Make a card
- Write a letter sharing what you love about them and perhaps some special memories you share.
- Attend mass together that Sunday or watch together virtually if necessary
- Share a photo on social media of you together on that day or what you've done to honour them.
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Our diocesan pastoral staff have come up with some highlights of ways to honour this day in parishes from the resources:
- Invite people (children especially) to give the prayer to their grandparent or an elderly neighbour or friend. Make copies available for parishioners to take with them and provide the electronic link.
- Encourage youth to connect with their grandparent or an elderly neighbour / friend and acknowledge this day (have a visit, make a phone call, make a card, bring flowers, bake a treat, etc.)
- Include the intercession which can be found on the website.
- Invite a grandparent or elderly to read the official prayer at mass.
- Pray the prayer of blessing from the liturgical resource “Blessing On A Long Life”.
- The CCCB will be producing a video for this day that will be sharable.
- Prepare for this special day by letting parishioners know via bulletin, social media and website that it is coming up and how your parish will acknowledge it.
We invite you to look at the pastoral and liturgical guidelines for other resources, including homily suggestions.
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