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Celebrating World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly
(4th Sunday in July) 
On January 31, 2021, Pope Francis decided to institute throughout the Church the celebration of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. It will be held every year on the fourth Sunday in July near the liturgical memory of Saints Joachim and Anne, grandparents of Jesus. Pope Francis said, "It is important for grandparents to meet their grandchildren and for grandchildren to meet their grandparents."
Second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 
On Sunday, July 24, 2022, the Second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated throughout the universal Church. The theme chosen by the Holy Father for the occasion is "In old age they will still bear fruit" (Psalm 92:15) and intends to emphasize how grandparents and the elderly are a value and a gift both for society and for ecclesial communities.
To help parishes celebrate World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, please see the 2022 Pastoral Kit and Resources by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life as follows:
- Message of Pope Francis
- Catechesis on Old Age by Pope Francis
- Prayer for the Second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
- Pastoral Guidelines, Plenary Indulgence and Liturgy Notes
- Pastoral Kit and Resources
- Press Kit
- Video Logo Presentation
These resources are also available in different languages: Press Kit: World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2022 - Google Drive
First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 
Sunday, July 25, 2021.
The theme of the First World Day was: “I am with you always” (cf. Mt 28:20). The theme’s purpose was to convey the closeness of God and the Church to the elderly and also to emphasize the intergenerational closeness between the young and the elderly.
Additional pastoral resources are available as follows:
- Pastoral Resources - First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly (laityfamilylife.va)
- A video and text message for the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly - Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB)
- Pope Benedict XVI Prayer for Grandparents (2008) - Catholic Grandparents Association
- Mgr. Quinn’s Prayer for Grandparents - Catholic Grandparents Association
- Prayer Service to Celebrate Grandparents Day 2012 - Diocese of Kerry
- Prayer for Grandparents Day - Diocese of Kerry (includes Activities to Celebrate Grandparents’ Day)
- Blessing of Grandparents - USCCB
- Intercessory Prayers: Families - USCCB (includes prayers for grandparents)
- Prayer-Resources.pdf - USCCB (includes Prayer of the Elderly, Saint Pope John Paul II, 1999, intercessions for the elderly, etc.)
- Prayers for Grandparents - Xavier University, Cincinnati, USA
- Prayers for Aging - Xavier University, Cincinnati, USA
Books:
- The Catholic Grandparents Handbook: Creative Ways to Show Love, Share Faith, and Have Fun, by Lorene Hanley Duquin
- Sharing Our Story: How Grandparents Today Pass on the Catholic Faith – en-novalis, by David Dayler
For further resources please visit our Resources for Parishes.
If you require assistance, please contact Saulina (Sally) Amaral, Diocesan Coordinator, Ministries of Care and Ministry with Maturing Adults, at (416) 934-3400 ext. 518 or samaral@archtoronto.org.
