The Diocese of Trenton is joining its counterparts around the world in preparing to celebrate the first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, proclaimed by Pope Francis to occur on the fourth Sunday of July each year, close to the Memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, grandparents of Jesus.  Set to take place this year on Sunday, July 25, the special day will have as its theme “I Am With You Always.”

The Holy Father expressed concern that grandparents and the elderly are often forgotten, but offered encouragement that, in the darkest moments, the Lord sends angels to console their loneliness.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will mark the newly designated day as principal celebrant of a Mass that will be livestreamed from St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Toms River, July 25 at 11 a.m. The Mass can be viewed at Youtube.com/trentondiocese and other diocesan media outlets.

Parishes across the Diocese will have special Masses, prayer intentions and other devotions to mark this special observance.

In a column written for World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Bishop O’Connell observed, “Age is a gift, a beautiful gift to be cherished.  A gift that offers us memories, reminders of how fortunate we’ve been through the years, and of all the people who have blessed the journey we’ve taken.”  To read the full message from the Bishop, click HERE.

The Diocese is also highlighting this honor for grandparents and the elderly with a video series and special content published on TrentonMonitor.com and in the July issue of The Monitor Magazine. To learn more, click HERE.