(4th Sunday in July) 


On January 31, 2021, Pope Francis decided to institute throughout the Church the celebration of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. It will be held every year on the fourth Sunday in July near the liturgical memory of Saints Joachim and Anne, grandparents of Jesus. Pope Francis said, "It is important for grandparents to meet their grandchildren and for grandchildren to meet their grandparents."

IV World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

The IV World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated on Sunday July 28, 2024. The theme chosen by the Holy Father - "Do not cast me off in my old age" (cf. Psalm 71:9) - is meant to call attention to the fact that, sadly, loneliness is the bitter lot in life of many elderly persons, so often the victims of thr throw-away culture.

To help parishes celebrate World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, please see 2024 Pastoral Kit and Resources by the Discastery for Laity, Family and Life as follows:

• Message of Pope Francis
• Catechesis on Old Age by Pope Francis
• Prayer for the IV World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly
• Pastoral Guidelines
• Pastoral Kit and Resources (English)

These resources are available in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese

Additional pastoral resources are available as follows:

• Pastoral Resources - First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly (laityfamilylife.va) Theme: "I am with you always" (cf. Mt 28:20)
• Pastoral Resources - II World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly (laityfamilylife.va) Theme: "In old age they will still bear fruit" (Psalm 92:15)
• Pastoral Resources - III World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly (laityfanilylife.va) Theme: His mercy is from age to age" (Lk 1:50)
• A video and text message for the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly - Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB)

• A video and text message for the third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly - Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB)

• Pope Benedict XVI Prayer for Grandparents (2008) - Catholic Grandparents Association
• Mgr. Quinn’s Prayer for Grandparents - Catholic Grandparents Association
• Prayer Service to Celebrate Grandparents Day 2012  - Diocese of Kerry
• Prayer for Grandparents Day - Diocese of Kerry (includes Activities to Celebrate Grandparents’ Day)
• Blessing of Grandparents - USCCB
• Intercessory Prayers: Families - USCCB (includes prayers for grandparents)
• Prayer-Resources.pdf - USCCB (includes Prayer of the Elderly, Saint Pope John Paul II, 1999, intercessions for the elderly, etc.)
• Prayers for Grandparents - Xavier University, Cincinnati, USA
• Prayers for Aging - Xavier University, Cincinnati, USA

Books:

• The Catholic Grandparents Handbook: Creative Ways to Show Love, Share Faith, and Have Fun, by Lorene Hanley Duquin
• Sharing Our Story: How Grandparents Today Pass on the Catholic Faith – en-novalis, by David Dayler

For further resources please visit our Resources for Parishes.

If you require assistance, please contact Saulina (Sally) Amaral, Diocesan Coordinator, Ministries of Care and Ministry with Maturing Adults, at (416) 934-3400 ext. 518 or samaral@archtoronto.org.