Pope Francis has in recent years designated the Sunday closest to the Feast of Ss. Joachim and Anne as ‘World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly’. The National Pilgrimage of the Catholic Grandparents Association takes place that day in Knock and indeed the theme of Reek Sunday is also this year being dedicated to World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. This is the 4th World Day and the theme this year is ‘Do not cast me off in my old age’ (Ps.71:9) I would ask you to do what you can to promote this day at parish/diocesan level. Grandparents and the Elderly are central components of the life of every parish.
A few possible ways to celebrate the Day:
- I suggest that a candle be lit in the sanctuary of every church by a grandparent or an older person to recognise, acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of grandparents and the elderly to our parishes
- Both the Message from Pope Francis and his Audience Address from 27 April last provide great stimulation for a homily (both attached)
- I also attach sample ‘Prayers of the Faithful’ kindly composed by Fr. Seamus O’Connell (St. Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth) for use on the day, I am attaching a PDF and Word version, in case there may be local edits required. He has tied in the prayers beautifully to the scripture of the day.
- I enclose a reflection written by Betty Murphy (Carlow) one of the founder members of the Catholic Grandparents Association on what it means to be part of that association and indeed to be a grandparent.
- Finally the Catholic Grandparents Prayer written by Pope Benedict XVI and a more recent Prayer offered by the Dicastery – either could work as a Post Communion Reflection
Many thanks for promoting and supporting this day,
+ Denis Nulty
Chair of Council for Marriage & the Family