World Day for Grandparents and Elderly

Pope Francis instituted the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to be celebrated annually, on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the  Feast Day of Sts. Joachim and Anne, grandparents of Jesus.

The priority for such a celebration is to renew pastoral care of the elderly - this includes dialogue between generations because "Without dialogue between young people and grandparents, history does not move forward, life does not move forward!" (Pope Francis). In a line, the fundamental challenge of this celebration is that young people and the elderly will discover more opportunities to encounter each other. 

Pope Francis has chosen the theme of the Second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which this year will be celebrated on July 24th, "In old age they will still bear fruit" (Ps 92.15). This theme is to be an invitation to engage grandparents and the elderly, and learn from their experience and wisdom. 

A series of pastoral tools and resources will become available to engage all persons in this theme. Please continue to check back for information about the celebration of this day in the Diocese of London. 

This first celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is regarded as "The first fruit of the Amoris Laetitia Family Year, a gift to the whole Church destined to remain over the years" (Cardinal Farrell). The theme of this first celebration, "I am with you always" (Mt 28.20), facilitated fruitful experiences of dialogue between generations around the world.

For more information about how the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated throughout the Diocese of London, please contact: familyandyouthministry@dol.ca.