World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

This year we celebrate World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on July 26 with the theme "I will never forget you," chosen by Pope Leo XIV. Taken from Isaiah 49:15, this is a testament of God's unfailing faithfulness and the steadfast love embodied by grandparents and our elders. He calls us to celebrate our elders, honor traditions and unite generations. This year, the celebration falls on the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of Jesus.

At Jennings, we are honored to take part in a sacred calling through our mission of serving elders and grandparents. What a gift to enjoy their history, faith, hope and love.

A prayer for our grandparents (written by Pope Benedict XVI):

Lord Jesus,
you were born of the Virgin Mary,the daughter of Saints Joachim and Anne.
Look with love on Grandparents the world over. Protect them! They are a source of enrichment for families, for the Church and for all of society.

Support them! As they grow older, may they continue to be for their families strong pillars of Gospel faith, guardians of noble domestic ideals, living treasuries of sound religious traditions.

Make them teachers of wisdom and courage, that they may pass on to future generations the fruits of their mature human and spiritual experience.

Lord Jesus, help families and society to value the presence and role of Grandparents. May they never be ignored or excluded, but always encounter respect and love.

Mary, Mother of all the living, keep Grandparents constantly in your care, accompany them on their earthly pilgrimage, and grant that all families may one day be reunited in our heavenly homeland, for the great embrace of life without end.

Amen