On July 26, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary and the grandparents of Jesus. Through this holy family, we see a beautiful example of faith being passed down across generations. On this feast of the blessed grandparents of Jesus, we are also reminded to honour our grandparents and the elderly, recognising their contributions to families and society,their role in passing on faith and traditions, and encouraging younger generations to connect with and learn about God from them.
This day is all about showing love to our grandparents, giving them a chance to show their love for us and helping children to learn about wisdom, strength, guidance and support that older people can provide. They have added immeasurably to the strength of our families enriching us with wisdom and compassion. Their deep faith helps them teach their grandchildren right from wrong and guide them spiritually. The stories of their lives, triumphs and failures, events and great milestones have profoundly influenced who we are. It is through them that we have visualized the lives of those who came before us.
In our hectic world, while today families are struggling to keep pace with occupational pressure and increasing demands of work, grandparents step in to provide much relief and support to the family. Young children enjoy the warmth and unconditional love of their grandparents.
So let us mark this important day and celebrate it with our grandparents by attending mass together, visiting them or calling the and appreciating all that they have done for us, taking them out for lunch, presenting them a card thanking them for shaping our moral and spiritual values and even organising various activities to celebrate them.
-Vernon Gomes [Post confirmation Student]