First World Day of Grandparents and Elderly

"I am with you every day", said Christ...

This was the theme of the first World Day of Grandparents and Elderly, initiated by Pope Francis and celebrated on Sunday, July 25, 2021, all over the world.

Pope Francis, as we know, frequently recalls the special attention he pays to the elderly, willingly stressing how old age is for him "the season of giving and dialogue".

In response to his call, VMI member countries have told us of their intention to celebrate this day: in Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal, Mauritius, as well as in Europe and South America.

In September, it is with pleasure that we will present in the back-to-school newsletter the testimonies of the initiatives that you would like to share.

In France, the Mouvement Chrétien des Retraités (MCR) launched this day on July 6 under the title “Le Temps du Goûter” (Snack time), in Taizé (The community of Taizé is an ecumenical monastic community located in Taizé in Burgundy, France. Founded in 1944 by Brother Roger, it brings together in 2008 a hundred brothers from all over the world who have chosen to live together a life of prayer and celibacy in simplicity; it also welcomes young people from all over the world who want to recharge their batteries.)

This day of reflection and exchanges around a snack had as theme: Sharing our dreams between young and old for a better world

In the morning, a round table was moderated by a journalist from the newspaper La Croix in the presence of Bishop Benoît Rivière, Bishop of Autun, Brother Alois, superior of the Community of Taizé, Anne-Marie Maison, President of the MCR, Monique Bodhuin, President of LAI, the Vice-President of the Christian Student Youth and the President of the local Federation of Young Christian Workers.

In the afternoon, 3 workshops were organized in which members of the local MCR and young speaking French people from Taizé participated; the workshop in which the President of LAI participated addressed the following topics: shared memories, new technologies in our lives, what young people come to Taizé for.