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 Pontificate of Pope Francis 2022 Showing Affection to the Elderly Scott 1792 Today, Sunday, July 27, marks the fifth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Pope Francis, who often spoke 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". Shortly before his death earlier this year, Pope Francis chose the theme for the 2025 celebration: “Blessed are those who have not lost hope.” An announcement from Kevin Cardinal Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Catholic Church, summarized the choice of this passage: "These words, taken from the Book of Sirach [Sirach 14:2], express the blessedness of the elderly and highlight the hope placed in the Lord as the path to a Christian and reconciled old age...In this Jubilee Year, the World Day--established by Pope Francis in 2021--aims to be an opportunity to reflect on how the presence of grandparents and the elderly is a sign of hope in every family and ecclesial community"This special day falls on the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim, the grandparents of Jesus. Yesterday's Daily Email reviewed their feast day, which is celebrated on July 26. It should be noted that, starting this year in the United States, this celebration will be moved to the first weekend after Labor Day (September 6 and 7, 2025) to coincide with National Grandparents (and the Elderly) Day in the United States, which is the weekend that many local communities, schools, and parishes have honored grandparents and the elderly for some time. For the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, the Vatican will offer a plenary indulgence. As defined by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, an indulgence is a: 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. One may receive the plenary indulgence for Grandparents' Day by attending Mass on this day and/or 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: |
