“Do not cast me off in my old age” (cf. Psalm 71:9) is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the Fourth World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly.

In the message published on 25 April 2024, Pope Francis assures grandparents and the elderly that “God never abandons his children,” and invites young people to visit the elderly, to spend time, and care for them. Instituted by Pope Francis in 2021, the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly is celebrated annually on a Sunday closest to the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Grandparents of Jesus.

On Sunday, July 28 Catholics in Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa “responded to the Pope’s call and celebrated the day,” said the coordinator of the Department for Formation, Life and Apostolate of the Laity of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC).

According to Fr Nhlanhla Mchunu the SACBC department “prepared a document that could be used in parishes to celebrate the day for the elderly.”

“The document proposed some activities that could be used, for example, visiting an old age home, serving tea after Mass, and blessing of grandparents. We are pleased that parishes within the SACBC jurisdiction responded to the Pope’s call and celebrated the day,” said Fr Mchunu.