World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly took place on Sunday, July 24th.
We pray for the elderly, who represent the roots and memory of a people; may their experience and wisdom help young people to look towards the future with hope and responsibility.
We had a lovely day celebrating the Grandparents and Elderly of St. Pappin's Parish yesterday with Fr. Rajesh.
The elderly enter the promised Land, which God desires for every generation, when they offer to the young the beautiful initiation of their witness. Then, guided by the Lord Jesus, the old and the young together enter his Kingdom of life and love ~ Pope Francis
Prayer for Grandparents
Written by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2008 for the Catholic Grandparents Association.
Lord Jesus, you were born of the Virgin Mary, the daughter of Saints Joachim and Anne. Look with love on grandparents the world over. Protect them!
They are a source of enrichment for families, for the Church and for all of society. Support them! As they grow older, may they continue to be for their families strong pillars of Gospel faith, guardians of noble domestic ideals, living treasuries of sound religious traditions.
Make them teachers of wisdom and courage, that they may pass on to future generations the fruits of their mature human and spiritual experience.
Lord Jesus, help families and society to value the presence and role of grandparents. May they never be ignored or excluded, but always encounter respect and love.
Help them to live serenely and to feel welcomed in all the years of life which you give them.
Mary, Mother of all the living, keep grandparents constantly in your care, accompany them on their earthly pilgrimage, and by your prayers, grant that all families may one day be reunited in our heavenly homeland, where you await all humanity for the great embrace of life without end.
Amen!