WYD Grandparents
"His mercy is from age to age" (cf. Luke 1:50)
"His mercy is from age to age" (cf. Luke 1:50): this is the theme of the 3rd World Day for Grandparents and Elderly, celebrated on July 23, 2023. This theme takes us back to a blessed encounter: the meeting between young Mary and her elderly relative Elizabeth (cf. Luke 1:39-56). The latter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed the Mother of God with words which, two millennia later, set the tone of our daily prayer: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" (Luke 1:42). And the Holy Spirit, who had already descended upon Mary, prompts her to respond with the Magnificat, where she proclaims that the Lord's mercy extends from generation to generation.
This year's celebration of World Day for Grandparents and Elderly and World Youth Day are remarkably close to each other. Each theme reflects Mary's "haste" (cf. Luke 1:39) when she visits Elizabeth, thus leading us to meditate on the connection between young and old. The Lord hopes that when young people meet the elderly, they will welcome the call to cherish memories and recognize the gift of belonging to a greater history thanks to them. The friendship of an elderly person helps young people not to limit their lives to the present and to remember that not everything depends on their abilities. For older people, the presence of a young person opens them up to hope that all they have experienced will not be lost and that their dreams will come true.
The entire message of Pope Francis on the occasion of the 3rd World Day for Grandparents and Elderly (July 23, 2023) is available here.
Dear Grandparents
In 2021, when the Pope announced the celebration of World Day for Grandparents and Elderly, which the Catholic Church celebrates on the fourth Sunday of July (learn more here), a group of grandparents came together to strengthen their connection with their grandchildren and created the "Dear Grandparents" project.
With World Youth Day to take place in Portugal, this initiative is being carried out by the "Dear Grandparents" of Schoenstatt. It aims to promote a prayer chain for World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023 and, in particular, for those who are preparing daily for the largest international gathering of youth with the Pope.
All grandparents and people over 60 can be part of this initiative and register as "WYD23 Grandparents" here.