About this Event

“Do not cast me off in my old age” — Psalm 71:9

The Fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, celebrated this year on July 28, 2024, is an important occasion for the life of our ecclesial communities. Attending to our grandparents and the elderly is not only a sign of gratitude and affection, but a necessity in the construction of a more human and fraternal society. The Holy Father invites us to recognise their value and to do so permanently, not just occasionally. It is not a matter of celebrating an anniversary once a year, but of making the elderly feel like an integral part of our Christian family and our common history. The successive generations of elderly people must be taken seriously, and the Church must give them appropriate pastoral attention. We invite everyone to consider how they can honour their grandparents and the elderly in their communities.

How you can celebrate this day

• Celebrate Mass with your grandparents
• Pray the Prayer for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, below
• Visit or contact your grandparents
• Visit an elderly person living alone

Plenary Indulgence on the occasion of the fourth World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly

On Thursday, July 18 2024, the Holy See published a Decree granting a Plenary Indulgence for those who take part in the celebrations of the Day or who visit the elderly alone. More information from the Vatican website.

Resources and Stories:

• Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the Fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
• CCCB Pastoral Toolkit
• BC Catholic: Hawaiian crafts in, pickleball out: Bridging Ministry helps two groups in need of attention find each other
• BC Catholic: At age 30, Blooms into Rooms goes face to face again, and lonely seniors need it
• BC Catholic: Elderly have responsibility ‘to give a good example for the young’ 

Prayer for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Lord, faithful God,
You who created us in Your image,
You who never leaves us alone and who accompanies us through every season of life,
Do not abandon us, take care of us,
And grant us, once again,
The ability to discover ourselves and recognise that we are Your children.

Renew our hearts with your Word
And do not allow anyone to be cast aside.
May your Spirit of love fill us with Your tenderness
And teach us to say:
“I will not abandon you!”
To those we meet on our journey.

With the help of your beloved Son,
may we not lose the taste for fraternity
And may we not conform to the sadness of loneliness.
Help us to look to the future with renewed hope,
And make the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
A day without loneliness, and a day abundant
with the first-fruits of Your peace.

Amen.