Grandparents' Day mass attendees to gain plenary indulgence
Mass attendees on Sunday, July 23, which will be observed as World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, will receive a plenary indulgence.
World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly (Catholic Grandparents Association)
The Vatican said Pope Francis granted the indulgence following the request of Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrel, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, in celebration of the day for grandparents and the elderly. “The Supreme Pontiff graciously grants from the heavenly treasures of the Church the Plenary Indulgence, to the usual conditions to grandparents, the elderly and all the faithful who, motivated by the true spirit of penance and charity, will participate on 23 July 2023, on the occasion of the Third World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly,” the Vatican said. The Holy Father will preside over the mass for the occasion at the Saint Peter’s Basilica. In 2021, Pope Francis designated the fourth Sunday of July as Wold Day of Grandparents and the Elderly in recognition of the important role played by grandparents and the elderly in the society. The chosen date was also close to the feast day of Saints Joachim and Ann, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the grandparents of Jesus, on July 26. Saints Joachim and Ann are the patron saints of grandparents. Those who will visit the sick will also gain a plenary indulgence, the Apostolic Penitentiary said. *“*The Apostolic Penitentiary also grants the Plenary Indulgence on this same day to the faithful who will dedicate adequate time to visit in presence or virtually, through the media, elderly brothers in need or in difficulty (like the sick, the abandoned, the disabled…),” the Vatican said. The theme for the third World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly was taken from the Gospel of Luke: “His mercy is from age to age.” The Vatican called on parishes to extend their confessional hours which is necessary to gain the indulgence. Aside from going to confession, the faithful must also attend the Holy Mass, receive Holy Communion, and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father. RELATED TAGS: #WORLD DAY OF GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY
World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly (Catholic Grandparents Association)
The Vatican said Pope Francis granted the indulgence following the request of Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrel, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, in celebration of the day for grandparents and the elderly. “The Supreme Pontiff graciously grants from the heavenly treasures of the Church the Plenary Indulgence, to the usual conditions to grandparents, the elderly and all the faithful who, motivated by the true spirit of penance and charity, will participate on 23 July 2023, on the occasion of the Third World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly,” the Vatican said. The Holy Father will preside over the mass for the occasion at the Saint Peter’s Basilica. In 2021, Pope Francis designated the fourth Sunday of July as Wold Day of Grandparents and the Elderly in recognition of the important role played by grandparents and the elderly in the society. The chosen date was also close to the feast day of Saints Joachim and Ann, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the grandparents of Jesus, on July 26. Saints Joachim and Ann are the patron saints of grandparents. Those who will visit the sick will also gain a plenary indulgence, the Apostolic Penitentiary said. *“*The Apostolic Penitentiary also grants the Plenary Indulgence on this same day to the faithful who will dedicate adequate time to visit in presence or virtually, through the media, elderly brothers in need or in difficulty (like the sick, the abandoned, the disabled…),” the Vatican said. The theme for the third World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly was taken from the Gospel of Luke: “His mercy is from age to age.” The Vatican called on parishes to extend their confessional hours which is necessary to gain the indulgence. Aside from going to confession, the faithful must also attend the Holy Mass, receive Holy Communion, and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father. RELATED TAGS: #WORLD DAY OF GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY