Our Patron Saints
-
-
Saints Joachim and AnnFeast Day: July 26
Our Catholic tradition has always identified the parents of Mary, the Mother of God, as Joachim and Ann. This long-standing practice has its origin in the oral tradition of early Christianity which was later recorded in non-Scriptural texts such as
the Gospel of James.
There one finds some of the faith tradition of our earliest Christian ancestors which held that after years of childlessness, an angel appeared to Anne and Joachim to inform them that they would have a child. Anne promised to dedicate this child to God (much the way that Samuel was dedicated to God by his mother Hannah in 1 Kings).We honor Joachim and Ann as the parents of Mary who nurtured her, taught her, and raised her to know, love, and trust God -- so much so that she was properly disposed in mind and heart to be able to respond to what God asked of her through the Angel Gabriel: "'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus...The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.' Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.'" (Luke 1:26-38)
It was the example of parenting that Mary must have received from Joachim and Ann that she followed as she raised Jesus. It was the faith they shared with her which laid the foundation of courage, strength, and trust which served her well even in the pain of standing at the foot of the cross as her Son was crucified. As such, Joachim and Ann can be examples and models of inspiration for all parents and grandparents.Prayer:
Parents of Mary, pray for all parents that they may provide the loving home and faithful teaching that you provided your daughter. Amen
-
-