In January 2021, Pope Francis announced the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, to be celebrated each year on the fourth Sunday of July, coinciding with the feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s parents and Jesus’ grandparents, Sts. Joachim and Anne.
This year’s World Day is on July 25 and the theme, “I am with you always,” is taken from Matthew’s Gospel. In his message for the first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Francis writes:
“…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!”
Read Pope Francis’ World Day message in full (English | Español) (Vatican website)
Prayer for the World Day (English | Español)
¡Hoy es la primera Jornada Mundial de los Abuelos y de los Ancianos!
“Es importante que los abuelos se encuentren con sus nietos y que los nietos se encuentren con sus abuelos, porque —como dice el profeta Joel— los abuelos soñarán frente a sus nietos, tendrán ilusiones [grandes deseos], y los jóvenes, tomando fuerzas de sus abuelos, irán adelante, profetizarán.” –Papa Francisco, 31 de enero de 2021
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