Pope Francis has established the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly to be celebrated every year on the fourth Sunday of July.He said he was moved to establish it not just because of the importance of grandparents and the elderly but particularly because of the neglect and isolation so many grandparents and seniors experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The choice of the fourth Sunday of July is to connect it, as closely as possible, to the July 26 feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary and grandparents of Jesus. He hopes that, on this day, grandchildren will visit their grandparents thanking God for the gift of grandparents, praying for them, and entrusting to Him those who have died, particularly during the pandemic. He has permitted the granting of a Plenary Indulgence, under the usual conditions, for all those who participate in liturgical celebrations observing it, those who unite themselves spiritually to those celebrations if they are unable to leave their homes, and those who visit, in person or virtually, their grandparents or elderly brothers and sisters in need. A plenary indulgence requires that the individual be in the state of grace by the completion of the acts, and have complete detachment from sin. The person must also sacramentally confess their sins and receive Communion as well as saying a prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father. For more information about receiving a plenary indulgence goto EWTN.
