First international ‘Catholic Grandparents & Elderly’ conference

12 Mar, 2025 | Bishops, Church, Jubilee 2025, News, Pope, World

As part of the Jubilee Year celebrations of the Catholic Church, the first ever Catholic Grandparents and Elderly International Conference will be held from 25 to 28 May at Villa Palazzola, Rome, just before the Jubilee for Families, Grandparents and the Elderly, on 30 May to 1 June.

The Catholic Grandparents’ Association was officially launched during its third Grandparents’ Pilgrimage to Knock in September 2009 – led by Cardinal Séan Brady the then Archbishop of Armagh.  Ms Catherine Wiley (pictured above from left to right: Marilyn Henry National International Coordinator of CGA; Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Montemayor; Catherine Wiley, founder of the Catholic Grandparents Association; and former Eurovision Song Contest winner and MEP Dana Rosemary Scallon at the 2024 annual National Grandparents Pilgrimage in Knock) became the Founder of the Association and today Archbishop Francis Duffy, Archbishop of Tuam, is the Patron.

Commenting on the upcoming conference in Rome, Ms Wiley said, “As we celebrate our 25th Jubilee, we reflect on the incredible journey of the Catholic Grandparents Association over the past 25 years.  What began as a small pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock, Ireland, has grown into a global mission to help Grandparents pass on the faith and to keep prayer at the heart of family life.  We have been blessed beyond measure by the unwavering support, guidance, and encouragement of the Bishops of Ireland, for which we remain profoundly grateful.

“Through the grace of God, we have had the privilege of pioneering, expediting, and establishing the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in the Universal Church.  This year’s theme, Blessed are those who have not lost hope (cf. Sir 14;2), reminds us of the perseverance of Grandparents, who never give up hope.”

Ms Wiley concluded, “We grandparents have never given up hope, we asked Pope Benedict XVI to write a Prayer for Grandparents, and he did.  We asked our Holy Father Pope Francis to proclaim a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, and he did.  This is our legacy to the Church for our grandchildren and future generations.  It is a never-ending search for ways and means to pass on our faith.”

For more information on this conference please visit Catholicgrandparentsassociation.org/ or email [email protected]

ENDS

Archives

Latest Videos

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This