‘Loneliness’ is at the heart of the Pope’s theme for the 4th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, celebrated on the fourth Sunday of July, near the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus and parents of Mary.
"Dear grandparents,
what is our vocation today, at our age?
To preserve our roots,
to pass on the faith to the young and to care for the little ones.
Let’s never forget this."
Pope Francis
This year on Sunday 28 July, Catholics around the world will be asked to reflect on the faith, heritage and wisdom passed onto them by their grandparents and the elderly.
Pope Francis has reassured
Grandparents and the Elderly that
“God never abandons His children, never.”
The Holy Father asks us to follow in Ruth's footsteps
"In many older persons we can observe the sense of resignation described in the Book of Ruth, which tells the story of the elderly Naomi who, after the death of her husband and children, encourages her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to return to their native towns and their homes (cf. Ruth 1:8). Naomi – like many elderly people today – is afraid of remaining alone, yet she cannot imagine anything different. As a widow, she knows that she is of little value in the eyes of society; she sees herself as a burden for those two young woman who, unlike herself, have their whole lives before them. For this reason, she considers it best to step aside, and so she tells her young daughters-in-law to leave her and to build a future in other places (cf. Ruth 1:11-13). Her words reflect the rigid social and religious conventions of her day, which apparently seal her own fate......
The biblical narrative then presents us with two different responses to Naomi’s words and to old age itself. One of the two daughters-in-law, Orpah, who loves Naomi, kisses her and, accepting what seemed the only solution possible, goes her way. Ruth, however, does not leave Naomi’s side and, to her surprise, tells her: “Do not press me to leave you” (Ruth 1:16). Ruth is not afraid to challenge customs and inbred patterns of thought. She senses that the elderly woman needs her and she courageously remains at her side in what will be the start of a new journey for both......
Ruth’s freedom and courage invite us to take a new path. Let us follow in her footsteps. Let us set out with this young foreign woman and the elderly Naomi, and not be afraid to change our habits and imagine a different kind of future for our elderly......
Ruth, who chose to remain close to Naomi, was then blessed with a happy marriage, a family, a new home. This is always the case: by remaining close to the elderly and acknowledging their unique role in the family, in society and in the Church, we will ourselves receive many gifts, many graces, many blessings!......
On this Fourth World Day devoted to them, let us show our tender love for the grandparents and the elderly members of our families. Let us spend time with those who are disheartened and no longer hope in the possibility of a different future. In place of the self-centered attitude that leads to loneliness and abandonment, let us instead show the open heart and the joyful face of men and women who have the courage to say “I will not abandon you”, and to set out on a different path......"
Pope Francis
Rome, Saint John Lateran, 25 April 2024
Holy See, Press Office, vatican.va ,14.5.24
Suggested events and activities for
the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2024
Plant a Tree in Their Memory
Send or give a Grandparent or Elderly person a "Spiritual Bouquet" - A Spiritual Bouquet can be a card, homemade or store-bought letting a person know what prayers or sacrifices have been offered up for them. Examples to be included in a Spiritual Bouquet: A certain number of a specific prayer – 10 Hail Mary’s, A Novena, A Mass, Rosary, Good deeds or sacrifices; for example – shop or clean for a person in need, fast for a meal, or skip dessert
Enlist a Group to be part of a "Prayer Chain" - A Prayer Chain is a group of people committed to praying for a specific reason for a predetermined period of time. Contact can be by phone or online.
Initiate an Essay Contest for pre-teens and teens - Choose a theme, for example, “How have your parents, Grandparents, or a significant adult in your life influenced your Faith?” How do you influence others?
Children's Prayer Appeal: We invite children in schools or parish to compose prayers in honour of their Grandparents. These are presented at the Offertory during Pilgrimage Masses.
Book of Remembrance and Forget Me Not Flowers
Starting a Ministry for Grandparents in your parish.
Taken from catholicgrandparentsassociation.org
Prayer for the IV World Day
for Grandparents and the Elderly
28 July 2024
Lord, faithful God,
You who created us in Your image,
You who never leaves us alone
and who accompanies us through every season of life,
Do not abandon us, take care of us,
And grant us, once again,
The ability to discover ourselves
and recognize that we are Your children.
Renew our hearts with your Word
And do not allow anyone to be cast aside.
May your Spirit of love fill us with Your tenderness
And teach us to say:
“I will not abandon you!”
To those we meet on our journey.
With the help of your beloved Son,
may we not lose the taste for fraternity
And may we not conform to the sadness of loneliness.
Help us to look to the future with renewed hope,
And make the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
A day without loneliness, and a day abundant
with the first-fruits of Your peace.
Amen.
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