World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Today we remember Grandparents and the elderly people in our lives. We thank them for the role they play in family life. They are always generous with their time and can be important teachers who show us how to love and care for one another. They remember the past and teach us from that past. We thank God for our grandparents and celebrate their contribution to our lives. Also, on this day we don’t exclusively think of grandparents, we also think of older people and the role they play in our lives. Grandparents play an essential part in the life of families today. On this day we give thanks for all grandparents, living and deceased

St’s. JOACHIM and ANNE, Parents of Our Blessed Lady Lord Jesus, you were born of the Virgin Mary the daughter of Ss Joachim and Anne. Look with love on grandparents the world over. Protect them! They are a source of enrichment for families, the Church and Society. Support them! As they grow older, may they continue to be for their families’ strong pillars of Gospel faith, guardian of noble domestic ideals and 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.

Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly:

Holy Father
Who watches over every person
Watch over me too when I am elderly.
You have revealed your name to me in Christ,
And You were not discouraged by my fragilities.
You hold me tenderly in your hands,
And You caress my lines.
You will never forget me! (see is 49:15)

Grant that I may not fear my weakness;
Help me learn to love it
Just as You love it.
Help me learn to listen to it
Just as You listen to it.
Help me embrace it
Just as You have chosen it –
You who, through all-powerful, clothed yourself in humility.

May growing old strip away all our pride
and all division
So that we may live these years
united in You.
You will never forget us! (see is 49:15)
Amen.