On the occasion of the VI World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, the Archbishop of Seville, José Ángel Saiz Meneses, has published a pastoral letter under the theme 'I will not forget you'.
The Archbishop of Seville, José Ángel Saiz Meneses, has called on the people of Seville not to forget the elderly, especially in the context of the VI World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which is celebrated on Sunday, July 26. In a pastoral letter released this Thursday, the prelate reminds us that God never abandons His children and asks families and Christian communities to accompany the elderly with concrete gestures.
This year's day, instituted by Pope Leo XIV, carries the theme 'I will not forget you', taken from the prophet Isaiah (Is 49:15). Saiz Meneses emphasizes that these words are a divine promise directed to those who suffer from loneliness, illness, or loss of autonomy. 'God does not forget any of His children. Nor can we forget those who have preceded us, cared for us, and given their lives so that we could move forward,' the archbishop states in his letter.
In his letter, Saiz Meneses criticizes the current culture, which values people based on their productivity and immediate benefit, leading to the perception of the elderly as a burden. 'At times, their uniqueness is reduced to a room number or a pathology,' he laments. In contrast, the archbishop insists that human dignity does not depend on health or performance, but on having been created in the image of God.
The archbishop also highlights the role of grandparents as 'the living memory of the family' and transmitters of faith and values. Many of them, he recalls, have been catechists at home, teaching the first prayers and keeping the faith alive in difficult times. Therefore, he urges the parishes of Seville to intensify a pastoral care approach so that no elderly person feels abandoned.
The letter includes a special thanks to families who care for their elderly, as well as to priests, religious, healthcare workers, and volunteers who work in residences. Saiz Meneses invites the elderly themselves not to fear fragility and to see old age as a stage to reconnect with God. 'The prayer of an elderly person sustains their family and strengthens the Church,' he assures.
The day coincides with the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Virgin Mary and the grandparents of Jesus according to Christian tradition. The archbishop commends all grandparents and the elderly to these saints, asking for their intercession so that families know how to build bridges between generations. 'Dear elderly, thank you for your life, your testimony, and your prayer. May the Lord renew you in faith, hope, and charity,' he concludes.
For the faithful of Seville, the letter serves as a call to action: to visit the elderly, listen to them, and allow them to take their place in the community. Saiz Meneses reminds us that 'a visit may seem like a small gesture, but it can transform a day and alleviate prolonged loneliness.' Therefore, the day of July 26 will be an opportunity to put these words into practice throughout the Archdiocese of Seville.
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