Chicago: The seniors’ forum of Syro Malabar Cathedral parish Chicago celebrated the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on July 24, 2022. The theme for this celebration was “In Old Age They Still Bear Fruit” (Ps 92:15).

The theme was to emphasize how grandparents are a gift both to society and the Church. Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath shared in his homily ‘Grandparents are instrumental in transmitting faith and culture.’ They instill and inculcate good behavior in grandchildren by their inherited values.

While the young adult parents are building their lives chasing a competition, worldly success and are caught up in hurried pace of life, they forget to spend quality time with their own children. The times of transmission are reduced with young parents, but the times of assimilation always require patience as in grandparents. The excess of haste, which by now obsesses every stage of our life, makes every experience more superficial and less “nourishing.”

Unlike grandparents’ young parents are not approachable. They are too strict and harsh when it comes to even small infractions of their children. Grandparents have tolerance, patience and understanding of their grandchildren and therefore they are agreeable, nice and gracious. Bishop emphasized the importance of passing on the values and tradition to lay life foundation. Children need role models in shaping their lives. Unmistakably Grandparents are the best resource.

Our grandparents are instrumental in our lives and the life lessons they shared with us are priceless. While we honor our grandparents every day, we take an extra moment to appreciate all the joy and wisdom that grandparents bring to our lives. Thanks to our Pope for this beautiful date to show appreciation to our grandparents and elderly.

Report and reflection by Luke Edamana
Ref: Articles on World Day
Pope Francis- Amoris Laetitia, Fratelli Tutti, and Catechesis