Each year, on the fourth Sunday of July, the Church dedicates a day to grandparents and the elderly, established by Pope Francis to fall close to the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. This year's sixth edition lands on that same date, July 26, 2026, an invitation to recognize the essential place the elderly hold in our families, our communities, and the life of the Church, and the gift they are to each.

The theme chosen by the Holy Father, "I will never forget you" (Isaiah 49:15), recalls God's lasting faithfulness to each of his children. Through the words of the prophet Isaiah, Pope Leo XIV offers a message of consolation and hope to all the elderly, especially those who experience loneliness, illness, or neglect.

Called to Draw Near

In his message, the Holy Father reminds us that God forgets no one. His love holds steady at every stage of life, even as our own strength begins to fade. The Pope also calls the whole Church, and especially younger generations, to respond by meeting this love with their own, in ways that are genuine and personal.

May this day, he writes, be "an inspiration for everyone, especially the young, to revive the beautiful custom" of visiting "grandparents, the elderly members of the family and even those who have no one to visit them". A simple gesture, offered with time, attention, and warmth, can help make God's love more tangible to those who need it most.

An Invitation for Our Communities

On this day, parishes, movements, and communities are invited to celebrate a Mass honouring grandparents and the elderly, while encouraging visits to those who are isolated or living alone, whether in their own homes or in care.

Resources to Mark This Day

To help you prepare for this celebration, several resources are available:

• The official prayer for the day;
• The pastoral kit prepared by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life;
• Resources offered by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB);
• Hashtags for sharing on social media: FR: #grandsparentsetpersonnesâgées; EN: #Elderlyandgrandparents.

Let us take the time to connect with the elderly among us, who have carried the faith long before we did. A visit, a phone call, or a word of encouragement can bring this promise of the Lord to life, and let it be felt: "I will never forget you."