National Grandparents Pilgrimage

The National Grandparents Pilgrimage is taking place on Sunday 10th September at Knock Shrine

Join us for the annual Catholic Grandparents pilgrimage this Sunday with the Catholic Grandparents Association. It promises to be a wonderful day of celebration for grandparents and their families. Mass at 3pm in the Basilica.

Grandparents from across Ireland will gather for Mass which will be celebrated by Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. 

We share with you a special Prayer for Grandparents which was composed by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2008. This prayer was unveiled for the first time at the National Grandparents Pilgrimage in Knock. 

This prayer is in honour and gratitude to grandparents for all they have done for us down through the ages particularly in the transmission of the faith. 

PRAYER FOR GRANDPARENTS

Lord Jesus,
you were born of the Virgin Mary,
the daughter of Saints Joachim and Anne.
Look with love on grandparents the world over.
Protect them! They are a source of enrichment
for families, for the Church and for all of society.
Support them! As they grow older,
may they continue to be for their families
strong pillars of Gospel faith,
guardian of noble domestic ideals,
living treasuries of sound religious traditions.
Make them teachers of wisdom and courage,
that they may pass on to future generations the fruits
of their mature human and spiritual experience.

Lord Jesus,
help families and society
to value the presence and roles of grandparents.
May they never be ignored or excluded,
but always encounter respect and love.
Help them to live serenely and to feel welcomed
in all the years of life which you give them.
Mary, Mother of all the living,
keep grandparents constantly in your care,
accompany them on their earthly pilgrimage,
and by your prayers, grant that all families
may one day be reunited in our heavenly homeland,
where you await all humanity
for the great embrace of live without end. Amen!