More than 550 senior Catholics from parishes across the Archdiocese of Bombay in Mumbai, western India, gathered on July 26 to celebrate the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, coinciding with the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
The annual celebration, organized by the Bombay Archdiocesan Senior Citizens Association (BASCA), was held at Our Lady of Salvation Church in Dadar, a central Mumbai suburb, bringing together elderly faithful for prayer, fellowship, and thanksgiving.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Auxiliary Bishop Stephen Fernandes and concelebrated by Fr. Aniceto Pereira, Fr. Baptist, and Fr. Colman Carlos.
In his homily, Bishop Fernandes welcomed the participants, describing senior citizens as "very precious" to the Archdiocese of Bombay. Reflecting on the dignity of aging, he reminded the congregation that youthfulness comes from the heart rather than from age, saying that "old is gold" when one's spirit remains vibrant.
The bishop thanked grandparents and elderly family members for their invaluable role in passing on the faith to younger generations. He praised their sacrifices, steadfast love, and enduring witness, while encouraging families and communities to express their appreciation through simple acts of care.
"A visit, a phone call, a shared meal, or simply spending time with an elderly person are powerful signs of Christian charity that affirm they are remembered, loved, and valued," he said.
Bishop Fernandes also emphasized that the mission of senior citizens in the Church continues. Their wisdom, experience, and prayers remain indispensable, while their faithful witness serves as an inspiration to younger generations.
He also thanked Fr. Aniceto Pereira for his 15 years of dedicated service in promoting BASCA and organizing programs that support the spiritual and social well-being of senior citizens throughout the archdiocese.
Following the Mass, Deacon Ivan led an interactive fellowship session featuring reflections and activities for participants. The celebration also recognized families blessed with priestly and religious vocations, the longest-married couple, and the oldest participant, adding a joyful dimension to the gathering.
BASCA President Denzil Rego outlined the association's vision for expanding its ministry among senior citizens. He highlighted plans to strengthen parish- and cluster-level networks, establish support groups, organize educational and recreational programs, draw on the expertise of senior members, and collaborate with healthcare providers, charitable organizations, and social service agencies to improve the quality of life of older people.
He also emphasized the importance of making affordable medical aids, palliative care, and other essential services more accessible to senior citizens.
The celebration concluded with expressions of gratitude to Bishop Fernandes, the concelebrating priests, and Deacon Ivan for their leadership and encouragement. The gathering reaffirmed the Church's commitment to honoring senior citizens as valued members of the faith community whose wisdom, prayer, and lifelong witness continue to enrich the Church and society.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
