The 6th annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated by the Catholic Church Sunday, July 26. Its theme, which was chosen by Pope Leo XIV, is “I will never forget you” (Is 49:15).
The Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, which is an administrative part of the Vatican, released a pastoral kit and new logo to assist parishes throughout the world to celebrate the occasion. The kit includes prayers, suggested reading, pastoral guidelines, liturgical resources and ideas for prayers of the faithful.
The dicastery shared that the theme “reminds us that God’s unwavering love is the ultimate answer to the isolation and neglect so often experienced by the elderly. It brings comfort and hope, assuring us that the Lord knows each of us personally, forgets no one, and loves us unconditionally, even through the frailties of old age.”
Organizers wanted to place an emphasis on closeness to others, asking young people especially to spend time with elderly family members and those who are completely isolated. Parishes and diocesan communities, too, are asked to reach out directly to those who live alone, are staying in care homes or have no visitors
The dicastery encourages people to share how they are celebrating by sending an email with details to anziani@laityfamilylife.va or posting on social media channels using the hashtag #NonnieAnziani.
Prayer for the 6th World Day 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 frailties.
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, though 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.