On Sunday, Sept. 10, we celebrate the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, the third observance since Pope Francis instituted this day to honor these treasured members of our human family.
This year’s theme, “His mercy is from age to age,” (Lk 1:50) calls to mind Mary’s visit to her older cousin Elizabeth. The Holy Father reminds us that the same Holy Spirit who was present at that encounter and inspired Mary’s Magnificat “blesses and accompanies every fruitful encounter between different generations: between grandparents and grandchildren, between young and old.”
The senior members of our diocese have valuable experience, history and wisdom to share. They help us realize that we also have a part to play in the story of God’s Church. Their abiding witness to Christ across many decades helps us understand our duty to persevere in faith and to complete our missions with grace and joy.
During his Mass celebrating grandparents and the elderly, Pope Francis reminded the faithful that the fruits of aging resemble the growth of a mustard seed, which starts out small but grows into a large tree, allowing others to take comfort in its shade. Likewise, with tender care, grandparents provide this same shade and stability for their own children and grandchildren.
“In this fruitful exchange,” Pope Francis said, “we can learn the beauty of life, build a fraternal society, and in the Church be enabled to encounter one another and dialogue between tradition and the newness of the Spirit.”
In this Marian year of preparation for the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese of Arlington, may Our Lady hold all our living and deceased grandparents and beloved elderly in her holy arms. And may Our Lord guide and bless all generations, as together we seek to build his kingdom on earth.
