National Grandparents’ Pilgrimage Takes Place On Sunday, July 27th 2025

The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated for the fifth time in 2025 on 27 July – the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Grandparents of Jesus. The theme chosen by Pope Francis for this year’s celebration is:

“Blessed are those who have not lost hope” (cf. Sir 14:2)

The Catholic Grandparents Association has been at the forefront in campaigning for a greater recognition of Grandparents for their role and vocation in passing on their faith to the next generation. The announcement of a new Church-wide celebration for Grandparents and the elderly came in answer to our prayerful request to the Holy Father Pope Francis.

This new worldwide celebration in the Universal Church calendar is a momentous achievement for Grandparents and the Elderly and will hopefully reassure them that they are loved and that they are needed. To mark this celebration, the National Grandparents’ pilgrimage to Knock Shrine takes place on this day each year.

Pilgrimage Schedule

2pm: Outdoor Rosary

2.30pm: Anointing of the Sick

3pm: Concelebrated Mass

Chief Celebrant and Homilist:

Archbishop Francis Duffy, Archbishop of Tuam

Followed by Eucharistic Blessing and Outdoor Rosary Procession ( weather permitting)

Musical Accompaniment  by Una Nolan , with special guest Dana Rosemary Scallon