Pope Francis has established a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which will take place for the first time on Sunday 25 July 2021 on the theme ‘I am with you always’ (Mt 28:20). Click below for resources for use in dioceses and parishes which have been collated by the Bishops’ Council for Marriage and the Family.
Video Message from Pope Francis
https://youtu.be/bFUSwj3fjLA
World Day For Grandparents And The Elderly – Brackenstown Parish
On Sunday, July 25th, Brackenstown Parish will host the inaugural celebration in Ireland of the World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly. To mark the occasion, Archbishop Jude Thaddeaus Okolo, the Papal Nuncio will celebrate Mass in St. Cronan’s Church at 1.15pm on July 25th via webcam on www.brackenstown-parish.com
Attached are some resources for World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly prepared by Niamh Morris (PPW) which you might like to use. Ask people to fill in the card and display them around the Church, on your Parish Facebook page or Website
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Grandparents are great because… what makes grandparents so special?
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Light of Faith…Grandparents pass on the light of faith to us. What are the names of your grandparents?
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Thank you for your life and love….we remember our grandparents who have died
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My prayer petition….. Do you have a prayer for your grandparent or grandchildren that you would like prayed for during our celebrations on July 25th
World day for Grandparents and Elderly Resource
Resources
The Bishops’ Council for Marriage and the Family are offering the following links to resources for parishes and dioceses planning to mark the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
Pope Francis’ Message for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
Dear Elderly Friends,
“I am with you always” (Mt 28:20): this is the promise the Lord made to his disciples before he ascended into heaven. They are the words that he repeats to you today, dear grandfathers and grandmothers, dear elderly friends. “I am with you always” are also the words that I, as Bishop of Rome and an elderly person like yourselves, would like to address to you on this first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. The whole Church is close to you – to us – and cares about you, loves you and does not want to leave you alone.
To read the full message: Click Here
Click here for a leaflet version of the Pope’s message
Liturgical Notes for Sunday 25 July (Click on the image for the PDF)
Prayers
PRAYER FOR THE FIRST WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY
Pope Benedict XVI’s Prayer for Grandparents
Quotes about Grandparents and the Elderly from Pope Francis
(Click on the image for the PDF)
Plant a Tree in their memory
The Catholic Grandparents Association is inviting families and parishes to ‘Plant a Tree in their Memory’ on Sunday 25 July.
By planting this tree, families and parishes have a chance to remember all those grandparents and elders, including elderly priests and religious, who have passed away after a lifetime of dedication, love and service to their families and parishes.
The tree planting could be a small private and prayerful event in the garden of a family home or it could be something that takes place in the grounds of the local parish church.
The planting ceremony could take place after Mass for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
A well known quote reminds us that ‘Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago’. Not only is this a wonderful way for families and parishes to honour grandparents and elders, it is also a wonderful way to give something to future generations.
Click here to download the leaflet and prayer service for the Plant a Tree in their Memory initiative.
Plenary Indulgence
On the occasion of the First World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Francis is granting a Plenary Indulgences to grandparents, the elderly and all the faithful who participate “motivated by a true spirit of penance and charity.”
The Apostolic Penitentiary explained that “in order to increase the devotion of the faithful and for the salvation of souls,” grandparents, the elderly and the faithful will be able to obtain a Plenary Indulgence on the First World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly to be celebrated on 25 July 2021.
The note says that the Pope has granted this possibility after having listened to the request presented by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, marking the establishment of the World Day that will be observed every year on the fourth Sunday of the month of July.
The Plenary Indulgence will be granted under the usual conditions: sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer, according to the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff during the solemn celebration he will preside over in St. Peter’s Basilica or at the various functions that will be held throughout the world.
The Plenary Indulgence will also be granted on this same day to the faithful who devote adequate time to actually or virtually visiting their elderly brothers and sisters in need or in difficulty (such as the sick, the abandoned, the disabled and other similar cases),” the note reads.
Signed by the Major Penitentiary, Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, and by the Regent, Kryztof Nykiel, the Plenary Indulgence may also be granted to those who are unable to leave their homes for serious reasons and “unite themselves spiritually to the sacred functions of the World Day, offering to the Merciful God their prayers, pains or sufferings of their lives, especially during the transmission, through the means of television and radio, but also through the new means of social communication.”
Useful links relating to the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
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The Disastery for Laity, Family and Life – www.laityfamilylife.va
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The Catholic Grandparents Association – www.catholicgrandparentsassociation.org
