CV NEWS FEED // The Holy See Press Office has announced that the 4th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated on July 23, 2024.
Since it was established by Pope Francis in 2021, the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of July, as close as possible to the feast of St. Joachim and St. Anne, the parents of the Virgin Mary and the grandparents of Jesus.
The official Vatican statement announced that the IV World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated on Sunday, 28 July 2024.
“The theme chosen by the Holy Father – ‘Do not cast me off in my old age’ (cf. Psalm 71:9) – is meant to call attention to the fact that, sadly, loneliness is the bitter lot in life of many elderly persons, so often the victims of the throw-away culture,” the statement read:
In this year of preparation for the Jubilee, which the Holy Father wishes to be devoted to prayer, the theme of the World Day is taken from Psalm 71, the plea of an elderly person who reflects on the story of his friendship with God.
“By cherishing the charisms of grandparents and the elderly, and the contribution they make to the life of the Church,” the statement continued, “the World Day seeks to support the efforts of every ecclesial community to forge bonds between the generations and to combat loneliness, in the awareness that – as Scripture states – ‘It is not good for man to be alone’ (Gen 2:18).”
According to Vatican News, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, expressed his gratitude to the Pope for highlighting the loneliness endured by many elderly people.
“Faced with this reality, families and the ecclesial community are called to be at the forefront in promoting a culture of encounter, to create spaces for sharing, listening, to offer support and affection: thus, the love of Gospel becomes concrete,” the Cardinal said.
Loneliness, the Cardinal Prefect also said, is an unavoidable condition of human life, as well as an invitation to turn to God the Father for comfort. As Christians, he said, the World Day dedicated to grandparents and the elderly calls us to put aside our throwaway culture and show “tenderness and affectionate attention” to the most fragile members of our communities.
Last year, Pope Francis presided over a Holy Mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica on July 23. No Mass has yet been announced for 2024.
