Just as there is Friendship Day to remember friends, Valentine's Day to remember lovers, and Mother's Day to remember mothers, there is a day for the elderly that many do not remember and many do not care about, the World Elderly Day called by Pope Francis. Last year, the Pope declared the fourth Sunday of July as the World Day of Older Persons.
On July 24 2022, the Catholic Church celebrates its second annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
A plenary indulgence, as defined by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, is “a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven.” It must be followed by confession, Holy Communion, and prayer as soon as possible afterwards. Those who wish to receive it are required to truly intend to remove themselves from sin.
A decree issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary on May 30 said that the indulgence for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is available “to the faithful who devote adequate time to visit, in the presence or virtually, through the media, their elderly brothers and sisters in need or difficulty.” The plenary indulgence can also be obtained by attending a solemn commemoration of the annual event by Pope Francis or related celebrations around the world.
Since Pope Francis has said that plenary indulgences can be granted by visiting the elderly either in-person or virtually, this means that a simple phone call can grant you forgiveness from sins, and make beloved grandparents and elderly loved ones smile.
The Pope called for the observance of the Sunday that comes next to Jesus' grandfather and grandmother, St. Joachim and St. Ann's feast day as the Day of the Elderly. This feast day is celebrated on July 26 in the Western Church. The day of commemoration of the presentation of Jesus in the temple also comes close to this day. The Pope's prayer for July is also to pray for the elderly.