World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
The ‘Christmas in July’ theme seemed quite popular this year, for obvious reasons. Call it a clever replacement for December celebrations which were somewhat abbreviated due to the coronavirus, a mid-year pick-me-up, perhaps, or just a good excuse to get together.
As the month came to an end, however, we were keenly aware of a new, much more important meaning to July 25th. For it was this date that Pope Francis proclaimed the 2021 Annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. And to mark this occasion, the Holy Family was prominently displayed at the entrance to our Chapel.
In a recent reflection on Christmas in July, Sr. Constance Veit, lsp, Director of Communications, shared, “Just as our annual observance of Christmas focuses our attention on Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the choice of date for this this new celebration leads us to reflect on the Holy Family as an “extended,” multigenerational reality — for Pope Francis has chosen the Sunday closest to the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, to honor our own grandparents and the other elders in our communities.”
In his proclamation of this annual celebration, Pope Francis has reminded the elderly of the world of their vocation, inviting them “to preserve our roots and to pass on the faith to the younger ones.” The Holy Father also encourages grandchildren and all young people, to honor the elderly, to learn from them, to reach out to them, to make them feel loved, wanted, and not forgotten.
We love our elderly family! Yes, it is our vocation, and our joy. It is a path traced out to us by our Mother Foundress, Saint Jeanne Jugan: the humble service of those whom Jesus recognizes and cherishes. She said, “Care for them well, because it is Jesus whom you care for in them.”
Read Sr. Constance’s article here: https://littlesistersofthepoor.org/blog-post/even-better-than-christmas-in-july/
World Day for Grandparents…