World Day for Grandparents!

Today, June 25th, is the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly!

“It is important for grandparents to meet their grandchildren and for grandchildren to meet their grandparents, because – as the prophet Joel says –grandparents, before their grandchildren, will dream, and have illusions [great desires], and young people, taking strength from their grandparents, will go forward and prophesy.” – Pope Francis, January 31, 2021

~Blessing of Grandparents~

This blessing may be used at special family visits (such as holidays), at the beginning or end of a visit, or at another appropriate time. If  possible, the oldest  grandchild  might serve as the leader.

When the grandparents, parents, and children have gathered, all make the sign of the cross.

Leader: Blessed be God, who is faithful through all generations.

R/. Blessed be God forever.

The leader introduces the blessing in these or similar words:

Photo by Liz Brenden on Unsplash

“Grandparents are cherished members of our family. They bring gifts of wisdom, experience, and love and share with us their life of faith. We thank God for their example and  ask that he bless them with happiness and good health.”

Then the Scripture is read:

“Listen to the words of Psalm 128 : Happy are you who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways!

For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; happy shall you be, and favored.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home;

Your children like olive plants

around your table.

Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord.

The Lord bless you from Zion:

may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

May you see your children’s children . Peace be upon Israel!”

(The family Bible may be used for an alternate reading, such as Ezekiel 37:24b-27.)

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

R/. Thanks be to God.

After a time of silence, all join in prayers of intercession and in the Lord’s Prayer. Then the leader prays:

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. R/. Amen

All make the sign of the cross as the leader concludes:

May God bless us and keep us all the days of our lives.

R/. Amen

Prayer from: Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers 

Catholic  Current

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