Catholic Grandparents Association will gather for Pilgrimage at Knock Shrine

Next Sunday, July 26, thousands of grandparents, families and pilgrims will gather at Knock Shrine for the 25th National Grandparents' Pilgrimage on the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. The events for the day will commence at 2.30 p.m. when pilgrims gather for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, followed by the Pilgrimage Mass at 3 p.m., celebrated by Archbishop Eamon Martin.

This year's theme for the Pilgrimage is ‘I Will Never Forget You’ as every grandparent

should know that they are loved, needed, and are never forgotten. Grandparents never retire from prayer. Their quiet prayers sustain families and keep the flame of faith alive.

Next Sunday in Croke Park, the Mayo footballers are playing to win the All-Ireland Final and grandparents are praying that they win.

The Catholic Grandparents Association was founded 25 years ago by Catherine Wiley with the aim to help grandparents pass on the Catholic faith to their grandchildren. What began quietly at Knock has grown organically into an international movement present in many countries. At the Association's request, Pope Benedict XVI wrote the Prayer for Grandparents, now translated into 27 languages and prayed throughout the world.

The Association also worked for many years to encourage recognition of the vocation of grandparents within the Church, culminating in the annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Today its mission remains unchanged: helping grandparents pass on the gift of faith and keeping prayer at the heart of family life.

For further information on the Catholic Grandparents Association, you are asked to please email catherinewileycga@gmail.com