The creation of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly by Pope Francis, a significant event in the history of the Church, will for the first time be celebrated on the fourth Sunday of July (July 25), scheduled in close proximity to the feast of the Grandparents of Jesus, St Joachim and St Anne, which is the traditionally celebrated on July 26.
To highlight the importance and significance of this day, Pope Francis wrote an 1,800-word message to “Grandfathers and Grandmothers and the Elderly” which was released on May 31, on the occasion of the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The observance of this World Day comes in the wake of the ongoing fifth year celebration of his Apostolic Exhortation “Amoris Laetitia 2015” (The Joy of Love), dedicated to family. Pope Francis has singled out the poor, the Word of God and the elderly as three priorities that will shape the future of the Church.
Pope Francis assigns much consideration to the elderly as they possess wisdom, thoughts, dreams that they can share with the young generation. He also advocates a greater connect between grandparents and grandchildren who can draw from them strength and inspiration, and actualise their dreams and preserve roots.
In his message, he not only intends to honour them but also stresses their importance and relevance to youngsters and the Church as well. He intends to state that grandparents and the elderly are not outdated, though he laments that they are often forgotten.
Furthermore, he has also granted a plenary indulgence to grandparents, the elderly and all those participating in the celebration of the event as well as to others who just spend time with, or visit, an elderly brother or sister in need, on the day.
Pope’s message acknowledges with sadness the current pandemic that has badly affected the elderly and offers them supportive assurance by greeting them with words of the Risen Lord, “I am with you always” and expressing, among other things, that the Church “...does not want to leave you alone.”
Considering himself as an elderly, he was chosen to become the Bishop of Rome when he had reached the age of retirement. Thus, he teaches us that even at an old age one can productively move forward and do something new.
Pope Francis categorically states that there is no retirement age for grandparents and the elderly from performing family responsibilities towards their grandchildren to educate them in the faith, and to pass on to them the traditions and values that will hold them in good stead.
Though advanced in age, grandparents and the elderly can still contribute to help build the world of tomorrow marked by peace, justice and tolerance. They can lend a helping hand to transform the society tainted with hatred, violence and division.
Sharing of, what Pope calls, of dreams and memory by grandparents with the younger ones, can instil in them the values of justice, peace and solidarity to usher in a healthy society.
In the Apostolic Exhortation, “Amoris Laetitia”, he had already noted that the grandparents can ensure the transmission of important values of life to their grandchildren and that “many people can testify that they owe their initiation into the Christian life to their grandparents”. He himself gives credit to his grandmother who played a greater role in his becoming a religious.
While we honour grandparents and elders, it is pertinent to consider a few questions posed by Pope Francis. “Does a society show concern for the elderly? Does it make room for the elderly? On the occasion of the First World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, it is worth pondering over these questions. Borrowing his own words, we can say with him. “A Society will move forward if it respects the wisdom of the elderly”.
(The writer is Parish Priest of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church at Panaji)
