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 Pontificate of Pope Francis 2022 Showing Affection to the Elderly Scott 1792 Today, Sunday, July 28, marks the fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Pope Francis, who often speaks about the dignity of the elderly and the importance of grandparents in passing on the faith, established the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in 2021. The stamp above, from the 2022 Pontificate of Pope Francis set, shows him with an elderly woman and is entitled showing affection for the elderly. For 2024, Pope Francis has chosen a verse from Psalm 71 as the theme for Grandparent’s Day: "Do not cast me off in my old age". This special day falls on the Sunday closet to the Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim, the grandparents of Jesus. A daily email marking their feast day appeared on July 26. In addition, the Vatican will offer a plenary indulgence for this day. The indulgence can be received by grandparents, the elderly, and all Catholics who, motivated by the true spirit of penance and charity, participate in Mass on July 28, either at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome (to be celebrated by Pope Francis) or another Grandparents’ Day Mass, or who visit the elderly on this day. As defined by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, an indulgence is a: remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. The usual conditions for a plenary indulgence require the individual to be in a state of grace, have complete detachment from sin, and pray for the pope's intentions. The person must also sacramentally confess their sins and receive Communion, up to about 20 days before or after the prayers for the indulgence. In a decree from Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, the head of the Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary, one may receive the plenary indulgence for Grandparents' Day by dedicating time to visiting with or calling (either by phone or video messaging) the elderly, particularly those who are sick, disabled, or abandoned. REFERENCES: |
