Across the Diocese of Myitkyina, young people and members of the Holy Childhood Association set aside their usual routines on Parents’ Day to visit the elderly, grandparents, and sick parents—bringing not only gifts but also prayers, songs, and the warmth of their presence.

The visits, organized in every parish throughout the diocese, transformed the July 26 celebration into a living expression of the Fourth Commandment: “Honor your father and your mother.”

A Day of Blessings and Reconciliation

In his Parents’ Day sermon, Bishop John Mung Ngawn La Sam of Myitkyina Diocese reflected on the profound significance of honoring parents and seeking their blessings.

“When God created us on earth, He gave each of us different abilities,” the Bishop said. “God’s grace is needed for these abilities to be used effectively in the world. Without God’s grace, our abilities are in vain.”

He emphasized that the most important thing in this world is not power but God’s blessing, and that the Ten Commandments point to the path for receiving it.

“Honor your father and mother so that your life may be prolonged,” he said, quoting the commandment. “Indeed, today’s world is always blessed for those who honor their parents. Despite the difficulties of this world, they succeed.”

Blessings for Both Generations

Bishop John urged the faithful not only to seek blessings from their parents but also to live as parents who bless their children.

“Parents’ Day is not just a day to honor parents,” he said. “Let parents also live to be parents who bless our children. We must live to be parents whose children respect us. Children should strive to be exemplary parents.”

He reminded the congregation that the Catholic Church in Myanmar celebrates Parents’ Day on July 26, the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The celebration honors both biological and spiritual parents.

Youth Visit the Elderly

In Myitkyina Diocese, the celebration extended beyond church walls. Youth groups visited elderly grandparents and sick parents in their homes, bringing prayers, songs, and small gifts. For many of the elderly, the visits were a source of deep joy and comfort.

One youth shared: “When we visited the elderly grandparents and sang hymns for them, their faces lit up with joy. It reminded us that honoring our parents and grandparents is not just about words—it’s about being present, listening, and showing them they are loved.”

The visits also provided an opportunity for young people to ask for forgiveness and blessings from their elders, a practice that reflects the Catholic understanding of reconciliation and family unity.

A Foundation of Unity

The Fourth Commandment, Bishop John emphasized, is “the foundation of family unity.” Through the blessing of parents and elders, the faithful receive not only spiritual strength but also the assurance of God’s continued presence in their lives.

The celebration in Myitkyina Diocese concluded with the elderly expressing gratitude for the visits, with many moved to tears by the love and care shown to them.

The Parents’ Day observance served as a powerful reminder that honoring parents and grandparents is not a one-day event but a lifelong commitment—one that strengthens families, builds communities, and draws the faithful closer to God.

By RVA Kachin Jinghpaw Service