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National Grandparents Pilgrimage : A celebration of The World Day For Grandparents & The Elderly

National Grandparents Pilgrimage: Celebrating The World Day For Grandparents & The Elderly

 

Grandparents Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine takes place on Sunday, July 28th 2024

 

We are delighted to welcome the Grandparents Association Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine on July 28th, 2024.

The Principal Celebrant on the day will be Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, Papal Nuncio of Ireland. Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor will lead the pilgrimage and the celebration of the fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly at Knock Shrine.

Ceremonies in the Basilica will commence with Anointing of the Sick at 2.30pm, with Pilgrimage Mass at 3pm followed by an outdoor Rosary Procession (weather permitting).

The combined choirs of Knock Parish directed by Una Nolan, Director of Music at Knock Shrine will provide the Music at the Mass.

For those who are unable to join the pilgrimage in person, the ceremonies will be streamed live on the Knock Shrine website.

 

About The World Day For Grandparents & The Elderly

 

Pope Francis established a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly which took place for the first time in 2021. In 2024, the celebration will fall on Sunday 28 July, the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Grandparents of Jesus. The theme chosen by Pope Francis for this year’s celebration is: “Do Not Cast Me Off In My Old Age” (Psalm 71:9).

The Catholic Grandparents Association has been at the forefront in campaigning for a greater recognition of Grandparents for their role and vocation in passing on their faith to the next generation. The announcement of a new Church-wide celebration for Grandparents and the elderly came in answer to our prayerful request to the Holy Father Pope Francis.

This new worldwide celebration in the Universal Church calendar is a momentous achievement for Grandparents and the Elderly and will hopefully reassure them that they are loved and that they are needed.