A Day to Honour Our Elders - Fr Gideon Goma

When Pope Francis inaugurated the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in 2021, he offered us a much-needed reminder: our elderly are not burdens to be pitied, but treasures to be honoured. He called on us to remember their importance—not only as keepers of memory and wisdom, but also as a vital part of the life of the Church.

With this in mind, we at Holy Family Parish in Kanamkemer, Lodwar Diocese, decided to do something special on July 26, the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. We wanted to celebrate the elderly among us—our grandparents, parents, and elders who have carried the faith and our families through the years.

The day began with a moment of deep prayer. We had Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and the Holy Rosary was prayed in Turkana and Swahili. It was moving to see how united we were in prayer, led not only by the young but also by the elderly, who joined with quiet strength and deep devotion.

During the Mass, which I had the honour to preside over, I spoke about the sacred role of our elders—not just in our families, but in our Church. They are our roots. They are the ones who have shaped us, prayed for us, and taught us what it means to believe. I reminded the community not to wait until their parents or grandparents are gone to show appreciation. Love them now. Honour them now. Care for them now.

After Mass, the mood turned joyful and festive. We gathered to honour our elderly with flowers, smiles, and the warmth of fellowship. There was cake-cutting, dancing, and refreshments—simple things but they meant a lot. You could see it in the eyes of our elders; many of whom said they had never experienced anything like it. For a moment, they weren’t just being cared for—they were celebrated.

Before we concluded, we asked them to pray for us—for me, as their parish priest, and for all those serving the Church. That moment was humbling. These men and women, who have seen so much and carried so many burdens, lifted their hands in prayer. I felt surrounded by blessings.

In a world that often forgets its elders, this celebration was our way of saying: We see you. We honour you. We love you. As Pope Francis said, “The elderly are a treasure, not a burden.” May we, in our homes and parishes, always treasure and appreciate the gift of our elders among us.

Fr Gideon Goma, from Nigeria, is a volunteer priest working with St Patrick's Missionary Society in Kenya.