‘His mercy is from age to age’ (Luke 1:50) This year we will celebrate the third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Pope Francis in 2021 declared that this special day celebrating Grandparents and the Elderly is to be held on the fourth Sunday of July. This is close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. 

The theme this year coincides with that of World Youth Day taking place in Lisbon, Portugal, ‘His mercy is from age to age’ (Lk 1:50). This is taken from the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth (Lk 1:39-56), and links with the World Youth Day theme where Mary sets out to visit Elizabeth ‘Mary arose and went with haste‘ (Lk 1:39). Pope Francis in his message to people for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly asks young people who are travelling to Lisbon, before they leave, to visit an elderly person stating that “their prayers will protect you and you will carry in your heart the blessing of that encounter. I ask you, the elderly among us, to accompany by your prayers the young people about to celebrate World Youth Day”.

Download Pope Francis’ Message for the 2023 World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly. 

‘I renew my invitation to everyone – dioceses, parishes, associations and communities – to celebrate this Day and to make it the occasion of a joyful and renewed encounter between young and old.’

~ Pope Francis Papal Message