Our Humble Beginnings

Catholic Golden Age is the largest association for Catholics 50 and “better.” We dedicate ourselves to providing the latest information on important issues that concern elder Catholics. In 1975, Catholic Golden Age was incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a non-profit organization. Since our inception in 1975, over 1,250,000 people have enrolled as members.

Recent estimates place the number of “over 50” Catholics at close to 17,000,000, and with the “graying” of America, that number will only increase over the next few years. CGA has the full backing and support of the Catholic Church and hierarchy in the United States.

Since its incorporation, CGA has boasted a Board of Directors of prominent clergy and laypersons and an Honorary board that included the late Jane Wyatt and Rev. Theodore A. Hesburgh, former President of Notre Dame University, and the late Helen Hayes.

Through the CGA Foundation, a charitable organization funded by CGA, CGA has made significant financial contributions to Catholic causes, which has helped to win CGA widespread esteem in the eyes of the Church.

CGA is unique among organizations for older Americans because it has a spiritual dimension. An annual Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. is held each August, celebrated by the U.S. hierarchy of the Catholic Church. CGA sponsors a Million Candles for Peace observance on this occasion that has been widely publicized in the Catholic press.

CGA also publishes CGA World, a newsletter that discusses the issues facing elderly Catholics in the United States.