July 16, 2026
“I Will Never Forget You”
Each year, on the fourth Sunday of July, the Church dedicates a day to grandparents and the elderly, established by Pope Francis to fall close to the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. This year’s sixth edition lands on that same date, July 26, 2026, an invitation to recognize the essential place the elderly hold in our families, our communities, and the life of the Church, and the gift they are to each.
The theme chosen by the Holy Father, “I will never forget you” (Isaiah 49:15), recalls God’s lasting faithfulness to each of his children. Through the words of the prophet Isaiah, Pope Leo XIV offers a message of consolation and hope to all the elderly, especially those who experience loneliness, illness, or neglect.
Called to Draw Near
In his message, the Holy Father reminds us that God forgets no one. His love holds steady at every stage of life, even as our own strength begins to fade. The Pope also calls the whole Church, and especially younger generations, to respond by meeting this love with their own, in ways that are genuine and personal.
May this day, he writes, be “an inspiration for everyone, especially the young, to revive the beautiful custom” of visiting “grandparents, the elderly members of the family and even those who have no one to visit them”. A simple gesture, offered with time, attention, and warmth, can help make God’s love more tangible to those who need it most.
An Invitation for Our Communities
On this day, parishes, movements, and communities are invited to celebrate a Mass honouring grandparents and the elderly, while encouraging visits to those who are isolated or living alone, whether in their own homes or in care.
Resources to Mark This Day
To help you prepare for this celebration, several resources are available:
- The official prayer for the day;
- The pastoral kit prepared by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life;
- Resources offered by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB);
- Hashtags for sharing on social media: FR: #grandsparentsetpersonnesâgées; EN: #Elderlyandgrandparents.
Let us take the time to connect with the elderly among us, who have carried the faith long before we did. A visit, a phone call, or a word of encouragement can bring this promise of the Lord to life, and let it be felt: “I will never forget you.”
Source: diocesemontreal.org
June 7, 2026
… for the values of sport
As the world turns its eyes to one of the greatest sporting events in history, Pope Leo XIV is inviting the faithful to look deeper.
For his June prayer intention, the Holy Father prays for the values of sport, that competition might become a school of fraternity, a space of encounter, and a universal language capable of uniting cultures, breaking down barriers, and sowing respect and solidarity among peoples.
Through the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network’s monthly “Pray with the Pope” campaign, Pope Leo XIV encourages the faithful everywhere to join him in praying for the challenges facing humanity and the mission of the Church. This month, he reminds us that in life, as in the game, no one gets far alone.
“May those who play, train or cheer discover in sport a universal language that brings cultures together, unites peoples, and sows respect, solidarity and personal growth.” — Pope Leo XIV, June 2026
Join the prayer: Pray now >>
MAY 31, 2026
United in Faith: 2026 Diocesan Celebration of Corpus Christi
The Archdiocese of Montreal warmly invites all the faithful, families, parish communities, and friends to join us for the diocesan celebration of Corpus Christi on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
The evening will begin with a Solemn Mass at 7:30 p.m. at Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral (René-Lévesque Blvd., east of Peel St.). Following Mass, the faithful will take part in a Eucharistic candlelight procession through the streets of downtown Montreal led by Archbishop Christian Lépine, bearing public witness to our faith in Christ truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. The celebration will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Patrick’s Basilica.
This special annual celebration is a beautiful opportunity for the Catholic community of Montreal to gather in prayer, unity, and joy. Clergy, religious communities, young adults, families, and faithful from across the diocese come together to celebrate the gift of the Eucharist and to draw closer to Christ.
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi — also known as the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ — reminds us that the Eucharist is at the heart of our Christian life. Through the Holy Mass, Eucharistic adoration, and procession, we are invited to meet Christ in the sacred mysteries and bring that presence into our homes, communities, and daily lives.
For those unable to attend in person, a livestream of the Solemn Mass at Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral will be available on the
Diocesan YouTube channel >>
so that the wider community may join spiritually in this evening of prayer and celebration.
All are welcome to participate in this joyful celebration of faith in the heart of our city.
MAY 3, 2026
Nation Family & Life Week 2026
“I am with you always” (cf. Mt 28:20). Christ’s words at the moment of his Ascension set the theme for National Family and Life Week 2026, running from Sunday, May 10 to Sunday, May 17.
Families, parishes and parish groups, Church movements and associations, and schools rooted in the Catholic tradition are all invited to take time during this week to celebrate their own families: to express gratitude, offer forgiveness, or simply share meaningful moments with loved ones across generations. The week is an opportunity to bear witness to the value of life and to live out our call to love one another within our homes, our communities, and the world.
May the abiding presence of Christ bring consolation, hope, and renewal as we journey with him in prayer and through the sacraments, assured that we are never truly alone. God is with us always ” to the end of the age.”
For any questions, please call:
(514) 925-4300, ext. 206.
We wish you a National Family Week full of life and meaningful moments, filled with the presence of Christ who is always with us, a source of peace and hope.
Diocesan Centre for Marriage, Life and Family
