“His mercy is from age to age” (Lk. 1:50)
III World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
«His mercy is from age to age» (Lk. 1:50) is the theme chosen by the Holy Father for the III World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
This year’s celebration dedicated to grandparents and the elderly will take place on Sunday, July 23, just days before the start of World Youth Day in Lisbon.
This year there is a Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary on the granting of Plenary Indulgence on the occasion of the Third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. The decree, signed on 15 June 2023, grants a Plenary Indulgence to the faithful who will participate during the solemn celebration that Pope Francis will preside over in St. Peter’s Basilica, on 23 July 2023, as well as to all those who attend one of the various liturgical celebrations and initiatives, which will be held throughout the world, on the occasion of the Third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. The same Plenary Indulgence is extended to those who visit the elderly and sick, as well as those unable to leave their homes, according to the conditions cited within the Decree. Likewise, the Plenary Indulgence may also be applied for the repose of souls in Purgatory. More information can be found at the following link:
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/07/05/230705a.html
PRAYER FOR THE THIRD WORLD DAY
FOR GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY 2023
Virgin Mary,
Mother of faith and hope,
an example for this humanity bent by indifference,
make me as willing as You
to accept the will of God,
to magnify and praise His Mercy.
Mary, Mother of fortitude,
you who knows my heart,
do not allow me to become discouraged.
I confidently surrender my life into your hands.
Heal my wounds.
May your tenderness accompany me on the way.
Your presence, Mother of love,
brings us to experience the joy
of seeing our families united.
Help me to transmit the tenderness and Love of God
to the grandchildren and youth
so that, in addition to praying for them,
we can pray with them.
Mary, may the gift of the Holy Spirit intercede for me:
sustain my weakness;
breathe into my heart the consolation
that I may leave traces of faith among the young,
bearing witness to the beauty of life,
knowing that life has a limit
and that beyond it lies before us our Father’s embrace.
Amen.