1st World Day for Grandparents and The Elderly, July 25, 2021
The following intentions are for the elderly and grandparents:
– For all the elderly and grandparents: that even in their twilight years they may not cease being witnesses of Christian values and strength of character which are the firm foundations of every society, we pray to the Lord.
– For all those who are hurting and abandoned among our elderly, those who are lonely and sick: that they may find healing and care, consolation and forgiveness, peace and companionship, through us in the Church, we pray to the Lord.
– For all of us: that we may deepen our conviction on the value of every human life from conception to death and be resolute in effectively shunning the “throw-away” culture that sees and treats the old and the weak as objects that have outlived their usefulness, we pray to the Lord.
PRAYER FOR THE ELDERLY AND GRANDPARENTS
This prayer may be said after the post communion prayer:
God our loving Father,
you are the source of life and of all gifts.
You lovingly sustain us at every moment of our lives
and you bring us to fullness of life
in Jesus your Son and our Brother.
We thank you for the wonderful gift of our grandparents and the elderly.
You have given them to us to be our guide
as they share with us the wealth of their experiences
and the wisdom that they have gained through the years.
We thank you for making them witnesses to us
of your abiding presence and care at every turn and change of life.
We pray that you bless all of them with joy and peace,
with satisfaction at the fruits of their labor, and with the faithful love of their family.
Strengthen their trust in your healing mercy
in the face of the mistakes and sins of the past.
Grant them the joy of companionship
of their loved ones and friends.
Protect them from all harm and evil
that can obscure their vision of eternal peace and joy in your Kingdom.
Give them the patience and courage
to bear the cross of sickness and weakness of the body.
Help them see their sufferings and discomfort
as their sharing in the Paschal Mystery of Christ.
Grant us all, their family and friends,
the grace of firm conviction and faith in the value and dignity of every human person
created in your image
and redeemed by the sacrifice of Your Son on the Cross.
May this help us to continue to support, respect, and love them.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever. Amen.
