“Even to your old age I am he, even when you turn gray I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” – Isaiah 46:4
This year marks the first celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on July 25. Instituted by Pope Francis in January, it exhorts the faithful to remember the elderly, and pray for those who have been isolated during the pandemic. In establishing this day, Pope Francis declared:
“Even at the darkest moments, as in these months of pandemic, the Lord continues to send angels to console our loneliness and to remind us: ‘I am with you always.’ He says this to you, and he says it to me. That is the meaning of this Day, which I wanted to celebrate for the first time in this particular year, as a long period of isolation ends and social life slowly resumes. May every grandfather, every grandmother, every older person, especially those among us who are most alone, receive the visit of an angel!”
With the celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, we are reminded of all the ways these figures have blessed us in life, and lift them up in prayer. Grandparents pass on wisdom to new generations, teaching them the practice of faith and perseverance in the face of hardship. As you pray for your grandparents and the elderly in your community, we hope these prayers serve as a helpful resource for you.
Prayer for a Blessing on a Long Life
God of mercy, you have given your children the gift of long life, and they ask for your blessing. Let them feel the tenderness and strength of your presence. As they look back to the past, let them rejoice in your mercy. As they look to the future, may they persevere in hope that does not fade. To you be praise and glory for ever.
Prayer for Blessing of Grandparents
Lord God almighty, bless our grandparents with long life, happiness, and health. May they remain constant in your love and be living signs of your presence to their children and grandchildren. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for the First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
I thank you, Lord, for the comfort of your presence: even in times of loneliness, you are my hope and my confidence, you have been my rock and my fortress since my youth! I thank you for having given me a family and for having blessed me with a long life. I thank you for moments of joy and difficulty, for the dreams that have already come true in my life and for those that are still ahead of me. I thank you for this time of renewed fruitfulness to which you call me. Increase, O Lord, my faith, make me a channel of your peace, teach me to embrace those who suffer more than me, to never stop dreaming and to tell of your wonders to new generations. Protect and guide Pope Francis and the Church, that the light of the Gospel might reach the ends of the earth. Send your Spirit, O Lord, to renew the world, that the storm of the pandemic might be calmed, the poor consoled and wars ended. Sustain me in weakness and help me to live life to the full in each moment that you give me, in the certainty that you are with me every day, even until the end of the age. Amen.
Sources:
Prayer for a Blessing on a Long Life, USCCB
Prayer for Blessing of Grandparents, USCCB
Prayer for the First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, USCCB