Helping to pass on the faith and keep prayer at the heart of family life
CGA Emblem for World Day of Prayer 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.
Second time on Sunday 24 July 2022.
Third time on Sunday 23 July 2023.
Fourth time on Sunday 28 July 2024

The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated for the fourth time in 2024 on Sunday 28 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:

"Do not cast me off in my old age" (cf. Psalm 71:9).

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.

Messages and Catechesis of the Holy Father

Prayers and Liturgical Resources

Suggested events and activities for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2024

  • Light a Candle for the intentions of ALL GRANDPARENTS AND ELDERLY IN OUR COMMUNITIES Join us at Church and at home
  • CLICK HERE FOR OUR CANDLE POSTER
  • Plant a Tree in Their Memory
  • Send or give a Grandparent or Elderly person a "Spiritual Bouquet" - A Spiritual Bouquet can be a card, homemade or store-bought letting a person know what prayers or sacrifices have been offered up for them.

    Examples to be included in a Spiritual Bouquet:
    A certain number of a specific prayer – 10 Hail Mary’s
    A Novena
    A Mass
    Rosary
    Good deeds or sacrifices, for example –shop for clean for a person in need, fast for a meal, or skip dessert

  • Enlist a Group to be part of a "Prayer Chain" - A Prayer Chain is a group of people committed to praying for a specific reason for a predetermined period of time. Contact can be by phone or online.
  • Initiate an Essay Contest for pre-teens and teens - Choose a theme, for example, “How have your parents, Grandparents, or a significant adult in your life influenced your Faith?” How do you influence others?
  • 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 Rememberance and Forget Me Not Flowers
  • 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

Additional Resources

Please check back here regularly as these resources will be further developed between now and 28 July 2024. Please also check out the latest news section on this site for news of events and initiatives from around the world. 

Download World Day Information Flyer