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Cardinal Gregory celebrates Mass marking first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

In order to celebrate and recognize the lives of grandparents and the elderly, Masses were celebrated across the world on July 25 in their honor. Pope Francis named the fourth Sunday of July “World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.”

In the Archdiocese of Washington, Cardinal Wilton Gregory celebrated Mass this past Sunday, July 25,  at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in the District. He welcomed local parishioners, visitors, and especially grandparents and elderly men and women during the Mass, and he did so with a homily that paid tribute to their actions.

He also urged all the faithful to be aware of the needs of the elderly. 

“On this day when we honor grandparents and our elderly and neighbors, we are invited to become more observant of their needs,” Cardinal Gregory said.

Cardinal Gregory referred to the roles of grandparents and the elderly as “a bridge between yesterday and tomorrow.” Their abundant wisdom and experience from years of life before their children and grandchildren give them the ability to teach and remember times no one else does, he said. 

“Because of their age, they have memories of moments from the past which they are more than eager to share with us,” Cardinal Gregory said. 

Above and below, the faithful pray during Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle for the first-ever World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Masses to mark the occasion were celebrated all over the world, including at the Vatican. (CS photos by Andrew Biraj)

The fourth Sunday of July was selected for World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly because of its close proximity to the Feast Day of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Jesus’s own grandparents. 

Cardinal Gregory explained how grandparents are observant to the needs of their grandchildren and families, just like how Jesus catered to the needs of His people.

“Being observant of the needs of others is something that grandparents always do with great aplomb for their grandchildren – they notice sad faces, longing eyes, and hopeful expressions,” he said. “We, in turn, on this grandparents and elderly neighbors celebration, are called to notice when our older loved ones may need special help – a cheerful word, an unexpected visit – a surprise phone call.  It is a feast that reminds us that we need one another – at different moments in life, but always with generous and tender attention.”

The Gospel reading for the Mass recounted the story of the multiplication of the loaves of bread. With the faith His Apostles had in Him, Jesus was able to feed thousands in a miraculous way, when He multiplied the small amount of food that was available. The Apostles trusted Jesus, which directly connects to the way that grandchildren and younger people look up to grandparents and elders. They listen to them because of their abundant knowledge and love.

“Our Holy Father in designating this special moment for grandparents and the elderly wishes all of us to deepen our concern for one another – to intensify our respect for those who have so many wonderful stories of faith to share and to realize once again that the Church is a family that only improves when we make room for all those who belong to Christ and to one another,” he said.

Cardinal Gregory urged all who could to reach out to their own grandparents or elderly figures in their lives; to take some time out of the day to thank them, pray with them, and love them for what they are able to do in the longevity of their lives. 

Cardinal Wilton Gregory smiles while delivering his homily during the July 25 World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly Mass that he celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington. (CS photo Andrew Biraj)

“If you, like I do, have personal memories of the wonderful gifts of your grandparents, your hearts are now filled with happy and grateful thoughts of all that they have done for us in our youth and whose memories continue to guide and inspire us even today,” he said.

The diverse crowd at the Mass included people of all ages and backgrounds. Among the faithful  were many grandparents and elderly people. One grandparent in attendance was Brian M. Mulholland. He is a Washington native who has three grandchildren who live in Florida.

“It’s a good time to be a grandfather,” Mulholland said, “because we have something that my grandparents didn’t have, and we call that FaceTime!” He explained that he feels like he doesn’t miss out on seeing his grandchildren because they are able to stay in touch via cellphone.

Mulholland explained that he enjoyed the focus of Cardinal Gregory’s homily about the the lessons grandparents provide, specifically in faith. He continued by saying that family is so important, and how that is a universal opinion.

“I am here to celebrate being a grandparent, but I won’t admit that I’m elderly!” Mulholland said while laughing.

The designation of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly by Pope Francis is a way to stress the importance of elders in the family. Sunday’s Mass brought together all types of people to pay homage to grandparents and elderly people for their wisdom, love, and longevity.


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