OTTAWA — As the Jubilee Year of Hope unfolds, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has released a video and pastoral resources to mark the fifth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, July 27.

Developed by the CCCB’s Office for Family and Life, the initiative invites parishes, families, and communities across Canada to recognize the elderly not as symbols of decline, but as vibrant carriers of faith and hope.

Filmed in St. John’s, Newfoundland, the promotional video highlights the importance of intergenerational relationships between children and grandparents — both biological and spiritual. It acknowledges the reality of children living far from their grandparents and the creative ways communications technology helps maintain those bonds.

The campaign is anchored in the message of Pope Francis for this year’s World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. The annual observance, instituted by the Pope in 2021, is held on or near the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne — the grandparents of Jesus — celebrated July 26.

In his message, Pope Francis encourages both society and the Church to see the elderly as the pinnacle of life — those whose wisdom forms the foundation for a better future.

“Embracing the elderly helps us to understand that life is more than just the present moment, and should not be wasted in superficial encounters and fleeting relationships,” he wrote. “Instead, life is constantly pointing us toward the future.”

“Christian hope always urges us to be more daring, to think big, to be dissatisfied with things the way they are. In this case, it urges us to work for a change that can restore the esteem and affection to which the elderly are entitled,” he said.

In Catholic tradition, the elderly are seen as guardians of memory and faith — witnesses to hope who quietly shape the spiritual fabric of families and communities. The CCCB video and resources underscore this role, drawing attention to the value of intergenerational bonds rooted in trust, prayer, and mutual care.

To turn reflection into action, the CCCB is offering resources to enrich both family and parish life. Families are encouraged to organize storytelling sessions with elderly relatives, create spiritual bouquets, and light candles for their intentions.

Parishes are invited to offer blessings for grandparents at all Masses July 27, invoke the intercession of Sts. Joachim and Anne, and consider launching initiatives such as “adopt-a-grandparent” programs, coffee gatherings, novenas, or a dedicated Ministry for Grandparents.

These pastoral ideas echo Pope Francis’s call for a “revolution of tenderness and care” to help “restore hope and dignity to those who feel forgotten.”

This day is a reminder that hope is not reserved for the young or the strong. It lives in those who have walked long roads, who pray in silence, and who continue to believe — even when the world feels weary.

It is not just a symbolic celebration, but a call to recognize how love shared across generations can heal, restore, and help build a more compassionate world.

See the CCCB resources for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.

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