Celebrating the Day of the Elderly

“The celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is an opportunity to rediscover that the Church is called to be a mother to all and that it is always possible, at any age, to discover oneself as a child of God. May this Day, therefore, be an encouragement for everyone—especially the young—to resume the good habit of visiting their grandparents, the elderly members of their families, and also those who receive no visits. [...] May the prophet’s words, ‘I will never forget you,’ take the form of a tender and affectionate encounter.”

(Message of His Holiness Leo XIV for the

6th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly – July 26, 2026).

With great care, the Pastoral Care for the Elderly team—collaborating with the Shrine-on-Tour (Capelinhas) coordinators and Sisters Selma Aparecida de Souza and Adriana Cortelini—organized an afternoon of formation, faith, fellowship, and joy for the elderly of St. Anthony Parish in Bento Gonçalves. The event included a talk, Holy Mass, and a social gathering.

It took place on July 25 at 2:00 PM—the eve of the Day of the Elderly and Grandparents—commemorating Saints Anne and Joachim. The topics addressed were “The Elderly in the Bible,” presented by the Parish Priest, Father Volmir Comparin, and “Caring for Body, Mind, and Faith,” presented by psychologist Neide.

Approximately 100 people attended, leaving the event joyful and grateful.

sr Adriana Cortelini, sjbp