World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Pope Francis established a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly which took place for the first time on Sunday 25 July 2021 and for the second time on Sunday 24 July 2022.
The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated for the third time in 2023 on Sunday 23 July – the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Grandparents of Jesus. The theme chosen by Pope Francis for this year’s celebration is:
“His mercy is from age to age” (Luke 1:50).
The Catholic Grandparents Association has been at the forefront in campaigning for a greater recognition of Grandparents for their role and vocation in passing on their faith to the next generation. The announcement of a new Church-wide celebration for Grandparents and the elderly came in answer to our prayerful request to the Holy Father Pope Francis.
This new worldwide celebration in the Universal Church calendar is a momentous achievement for Grandparents and the Elderly and will hopefully reassure them that they are loved and that they are needed.
We invite you to join us in marking this momentous day in parishes. We have a whole suite of resources and ideas for how you can make this a wonderful celebration for all.
We are delighted to offer some resources and ideas of how you can celebrate this momentous occasion:
- CGA Resource Flyer for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2023
- CGA Emblem for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2023
- The Story of the Catholic Grandparents Association and the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
- Resources from the Dicastery for Laity Family and Life
Messages and Catechesis of the Holy Father
- Pope Francis’ Message for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2023
- Pope Francis’ Message for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2022
- Pope Francis’ Message for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2021
- Pope Francis’ Catechesis on the meaning and value of old age
Prayers and Liturgical Resources
- Prayer for the WDGE 2023 ENG
- Prayer WDGE 2022
- Prayer for the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
- Prayer for the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly (Spanish)
- Pope Benedict XVI’s Prayer for Grandparents
- Short Parish Newsletter Notice for 2023:
The National Grandparents’ Pilgrimage will take place in Knock on Sunday 23 July – the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. All are welcome for this wonderful celebration of family and faith through the generations. The Principal Celebrant and Homilist will be Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin and Chair of the Bishops’ Council for Marriage and the Family. Music will be by the combined choirs of Knock Shrine who will be joined by Dana for ‘Lady of Knock’ and her new hymn ‘Light the Flame’. ALL ARE WELCOME! For more information see www.
catholicgrandparentsassociatio n.org
Plenary Indulgence for the Third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
Just as with other editions, on the occasion of the Third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which will be celebrated on July 23 and whose theme is “His mercy is from age to age” ( Lk 1:50), Pope Francis has granted a Plenary Indulgence for the faithful.
This announcement was made through a Decree issued today by the Apostolic Penitentiary, stating that the Plenary Indulgence is granted “under the usual conditions (Sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion and prayer in accordance with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff) to grandparents, the elderly and all the faithful who, motivated by a true spirit of penance and charity, will participate in the solemn celebration that the Holy Father Francis will preside over in the Vatican Papal Basilica, or in the various functions that will be held throughout the world”.
In the same manner, the Plenary Indulgence will be granted to the faithful who visit their elderly brothers and sisters in need or in difficulty, “such as the sick, the abandoned, the disabled” and to “all those who, unable to leave their homes for serious reasons, will unite spiritually with the sacred services of World Youth Day, offering to the Merciful God their prayers, and the pains and sufferings of their lives, especially while the words of the Supreme Pontiff and the various celebrations are broadcast through the media”.
Suggested events and activities for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2023
- Plant a Tree in their Memory 2023 Poster
- Plant a Tree in their Memory Prayer Service
- Children’s Prayer Appeal: We invite children in schools or parish to compose prayers in honour of their Grandparents. These are presented at the Offertory during Pilgrimage Masses.
- Book of Remembrance 2023
- Starting a Ministry for Grandparents in your parish – Why not contact us to find out about starting a Ministry for Grandparents in your parish. You could launch it on the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly! Email us: info@catholicgrandparentsassociation.org
ENDS