Oudtshoorn, 17 July 2026 – The Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life has confirmed that the Holy Father has directed that the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will continue to be celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday in July, closest to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.
The theme chosen by Pope Leo XIV for the 6th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly – “I will never forget you” (Is 49:15) – reminds us that God’s unwavering love is the ultimate answer to the isolation and neglect so often experienced by the elderly. It brings comfort and hope, assuring us that the Lord knows each of us personally, forgets no one, and loves us unconditionally, even through the frailties of old age.
Die Dikasterie vir die Leke, Familie en Lewe het bevestig dat die Heilige Vader bepaal het dat die Wêrelddag vir Grootouers en Bejaardes jaarliks voortgesit sal word op die vierde Sondag in Julie, naaste aan die liturgiese gedenkdag van die heiliges Joachim en Anna, die grootouers van Jesus.
Die tema wat deur Pous Leo XIV gekies is vir die 6de Wêrelddag vir Grootouers en Bejaardes – “Ek sal jou nooit vergeet nie” (Jes. 49:15) – herinner ons daaraan dat God se standvastige liefde die uiteindelike antwoord is op die eensaamheid en verwaarlosing wat bejaardes dikwels ervaar. Dit bring troos en hoop, en verseker ons dat die Here elkeen van ons persoonlik ken, niemand vergeet nie, en ons onvoorwaardelik liefhet – selfs deur die broosheid van ouderdom heen.
Prayer for the 6th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
Holy Father
Who watches over every person
Watch over me too when I am elderly.
You have revealed your name to me in Christ,
And You were not discouraged by my frailties.
You hold me tenderly in your hands,
And You caress my lines.
You will never forget me! (see Is 49:15).
Grant that I may not fear my weakness;
Help me learn to love it
Just as You love it.
Help me learn to listen to it
Just as You listen to it.
Help me embrace it
Just as You have chosen it –
You who, though all-powerful, clothed yourself in humility.
May growing old strip away all our pride
and all division
So that we may live these years
united in You.
You will never forget us! (see Is 49:15)
Amen.
Gebed vir die 6de Wêrelddag van Grootouers en Bejaardes
Heilige Vader
wat oor elke mens waak,
Waak ook oor my wanneer ek oud is.
U het U naam aan my
in Christus bekend gemaak,
En U het nie moed opgegee oor my swakhede nie.
U hou my sagkens in U hande,
En U streel my plooie.
U sal my nooit vergeet nie! (sien Jes 49:15).
Gee dat ek nie vir my swakheid mag vrees nie;
Help my om dit lief te hê
Net soos U dit liefhet.
Help my om daarna te luister
Net soos U daarna luister.
Help my om dit te omhels
Net soos U dit gekies het –
U wat, ondanks U almagtigheid,
Uself in nederigheid geklee het.
Mag oudword al ons trots en alle verdeeldheid wegneem
Sodat ons hierdie jare verenig in U kan leef.
U sal ons nooit vergeet nie! (sien Jes 49:15) Amen.
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