On July 26, we celebrate the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, and with it, the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, established by Pope Francis in 2021. This prayer, written by Pope Francis for that day, asks God to bless, protect, and strengthen grandparents everywhere — the quiet pillars who pass on faith, wisdom, and love from one generation to the next.
Why Pray for Grandparents
Grandparents hold a unique place in our families and in the life of the Church. Like Saints Joachim and Anne, who raised Mary in faith long before she became the Mother of God, grandparents often carry the quiet, faithful work of forming the next generation — through prayer, patience, and example more than words.
This prayer asks that grandparents everywhere be protected, respected, and never be forgotten — and that we, in turn, learn to treasure their presence while we still have them near.
By praying for our grandparents, we also thank God for the faith, sacrifices, and quiet witness they have shared throughout their lives.
When Should You Pray This Prayer?
- On the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, July 26
- On the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
- For your own grandparents, living or deceased
- For grandparents who feel forgotten, lonely, or far from family
- As a grandparent yourself, asking for strength and joy in that role
- Whenever you wish to thank God for the gift of your grandparents.
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, guardians 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 role 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. Amen.
— Prayer of Pope Francis for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
How to Use This Prayer
This prayer can be said alone, as a family, or shared with a grandparent directly. Some parishes pray it after Mass on the Sunday closest to July 26. It can also be prayed quietly any day of the year, whenever we want to give thanks for a grandparent’s love, or ask God’s protection over one who is far away, sick, or feeling forgotten.
You may also pray it together with your grandparents, or offer one Hail Mary afterward in thanksgiving for their witness of faith.
Many parishes pray it during the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, celebrated each year near the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne.
Related Prayers
Saints Joachim and Anne, pray for us.
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