July 26 is the memorial of Ss. Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. This date is near the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of July. Responding to the pastoral needs of local communities, Pope Leo XIV has authorised national bishops’ conferences to designate an alternative date for this celebration, mindful of their particular circumstances.
Therefore, as many Hong Kong families travel abroad during July and August, Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., directed that the local celebration of the 6th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly be celebrated on September 20 so that more families may gather with their grandparents and elderly relatives, united in faith and love.
This year’s celebrations centre on the theme of cultural heritage, co-organised by the Diocesan Commission for Integral Human Development and the Diocesan Pastoral Commission for Marriage and the Family, through the Flavours of Heritage Recipe Preservation Project.
This initiative invites children and young Catholics into the kitchen, encouraging them to preserve their elders’ cherished recipes and stories through messages or videos. This shared experience enables young and old alike to interact and exchange insights, passing on the unique “flavour of home” while preparing food together. In doing so, families foster deeper intergenerational bonds.
Organisers also shared the fruits of this project in a moment of intergenerational communion filled with warmth and laughter.
In his message for World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Leo reminded us that God never forgets any of His children, especially the helpless and those enduring suffering and war—”I will never forget you” [cf. Isaiah 49:15]. Yet, far too often, our elders are relegated to the peripheries of society, despite having dedicated their years and wisdom to the service of community and family.
As our elders enter their twilight years, they can too easily be forgotten by society. Meanwhile, their adult children, preoccupied with family responsibilities or demanding careers, may find themselves unable to devote the necessary time to their elderly parents. As a result, many seniors experience isolation and loneliness.
By marking the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, the Church seeks to remind the faithful of her vocation to be a mother to all, nurturing in each of us the knowledge that we are children of God.
Through this observance, we hope to encourage all, especially the young, to honour the tradition of visiting their grandparents, parents, and elderly relatives, and to remember those in care homes who have long awaited a visitor. Such gestures bring warmth and comfort, reflecting the Christian call to charity.
As people grow older, physical abilities may diminish, yet human life retains its dignity and value. The late Pope Francis often reminded us that old age is a blessing, not a cause for concern.
The elderly offer hard-won experience and wisdom that can guide younger generations. Their presence is a gentle testament to the value of every stage of life, and society has a responsibility to offer them respect and care. SE
