The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated for the fifth time in 2025. The date this year is Sunday 27th July.
This special day takes place on the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Grandparents of Jesus. This year their Feast is Saturday 26th July, making this a whole weekend double celebration of later life and older people!
Pope Francis established the Catholic Church’s World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly which took place for the first time on Sunday 25 July 2021.
The theme chosen by Pope Francis for this year’s celebration is:
“Blessed are those who have not lost hope” (cf. Sir 14:2)
Pope Leo’s message for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2025, reminds us that hope is a source of joy, no matter what age.
Here you can read the full message from the Holy Father.
Here are prayers and links from the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales to help you celebrate the day.
If you are a grandparent and are able to attend Mass, you could invite your grandchildren to attend with you.
The Catholic Grandparents Association has been at the forefront in campaigning for a greater recognition of Grandparents for their role and vocation in passing on their faith to the next generation. They have also produced resources that you might wish to use.