Honoring Grammie

You may have called them by a traditional title, such as “Grandmother” or “Grandfather” or by your own variation such as “Grammie,” “Mimi,” “Gigi,” or several others.

For many, they lavished you as the “center of their attention” (and have the photos to prove it), or spoiled you with a wink because they knew your parents would disapprove. Or maybe they took you in and raised you as your parents weathered their own storms. 

And they are often credited with passing on the golden nuggets of Catholic faith beliefs and traditions.

As the church prepares to celebrate the second annual World Day of Grandparents and Elderly on July 24, Catholics have the opportunity to say “thank you” for the role that grandparents, and elders have played in our lives, whether through formal catechesis, or lived, unshakeable faith.

On Jan. 31, 2021, Pope Francis announced the establishment of World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly on the Fourth Sunday of July. The announcement of this celebration coincided with the celebration of the Year of Amoris Laetitia Family, which began on the solemnity of St. Joseph, the husband of Mary, on March 19, 2021, and concluded at the World Meeting of Families in Rome in June of 2022. 

The celebration is set on the Sunday closest to the Feast Day of Sts. Anne and Joachim, the parents of the Blessed Mother and the grandparents of Jesus.

According to tradition, St. Joachim was described as a wealthy member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. He and his wife were grieved by their childlessness and devoted themselves to rigorous prayer and fasting in isolation from one another. 

Their prayers were answered not only for them but in the ultimate salvation of the world with the birth of Mary, who would then give birth to Jesus.

St. Anne furthermore made a sanctuary in Mary’s room and “allowed nothing common or unclean” on account of the special holiness of the child.” 

The document noted that Mary’s parents brought her to the temple and the priests consecrated her to God as a consecrated virgin for the rest of her life.

It’s through the passing on of the “torch of faith” from generation to generation that the faith is kept fresh and alive, noted Pope Francis in his message for the upcoming celebration, which will be themed “In old age they will still bear fruit” (Ps 92:15).

“Old age is no time to give up and lower the sails, but a season of enduring fruitfulness: a new mission awaits us and bids us look to the future,” the pope wrote. “The special sensibility that those of us who are elderly have for the concerns, thoughts and the affections that make us human should once again become the vocation of many. It would be a sign of our love for the younger generations.  This would be our own contribution to the revolution of tenderness, a spiritual and non-violent revolution in which I encourage you, dear grandparents and elderly persons, to take an active role.”

He added, “Living in a time of great trial testing with violent outbreak of the pandemic, and then by a war that is harming peace and development on a global scale … Nor is it a coincidence that war is returning to Europe at a time when the generation that experienced it in the last century is dying out.”

Within all this, the faithful are urged to embrace the celebration to celebrate together with all those whom the Lord has “filled with days.”

Among those ways are celebrating together in the church parishes and seeking out the elderly persons who feel most alone, at home or in residences where they live. 

If you are fortunate to have one or both grandparents gather and visit,  and ask them “Tell us again about the time you …” If they are “not ready for the rocking chair yet” maybe ride bikes together or do that “favorite activity” that would bring you back to those cherished memories as well.

If living a long distance away make that phone call. If your grandparents have “gone on to receive an eternal reward” away perhaps stop by the cemetery to remember them or share favorite stories. 

No matter how you honor the youth of family, faith and friendships will be re-generated and “forever young.”