The Pope establishes the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly

The day after tomorrow, February 2, we will celebrate the feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, when Simeon and Anna, both elders, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, recognized Jesus as the Messiah. Today, the Holy Spirit continues to stir up thoughts and words of wisdom in the elderly: his voice is precious because it sings the praises of God and keeps the roots of peoples. They remind us that old age is a gift and that grandparents are the link between generations, to pass on to young people the experience of life and of faith. Grandparents are often forgotten and we forget the wealth of keeping the roots and passing them on. For this reason, I have decided to institute the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, which will be celebrated annually throughout the Church on the fourth Sunday in July, near the feast of Saints Joaquín and Ana, the “Grandparents” of Jesus. . It is important that the grandparents meet the grandchildren and the grandchildren meet the grandparents, because – as the prophet Joel says – the grandparents before the grandchildren dream, they will have illusions [grandes deseos]and the young, taking the strength of their grandparents, will go on, they will prophesy. And precisely February 2 is the celebration of the meeting of grandparents with their grandchildren.

Cardinal Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, in a published statement, underlines that it is “the first fruit of the Year of the Amoris Laetitia Family, a gift for the whole Church intended for stay over the years. The pastoral care of the elderly is an urgent priority for every Christian community ”.

“In the Encyclical Fratelli tutti, – he continues – the Holy Father reminds us that no one is saved alone. In this perspective, it is necessary to cherish the spiritual and human wealth that has been passed down through the generations ”.

The Prefect also underlines that the Dicastery has already organized the first International Congress for the Pastoral Care of the Elderly and, with today’s announcement, they feel “even more committed to working to eliminate the culture of waste and enhance charisms. grandparents and the elderly ”.

On the occasion of the 1st World Day, which will take place in a significant way at the heart of the Year of the Amoris Laetitia Family, Pope Francis will preside over the evening mass on Sunday July 25 on respect for the health situation, in the Saint Peter’s basilica. In addition, as the Day approaches, the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life will announce the additional initiatives that will accompany it.

Now, the Dicastery invites parishes and dioceses around the world to find ways to celebrate the Day at the local level that are suited to their own pastoral context.