July 26: Saint Joachim and Saint Anne

Saints Anne and Joachim
with the Blessed Virgin Mary
by Josef Anton Mahlknecht (1859)

History

Traditionally, Jesus’ grandparents – the parents of Mary – are called Joachim and Anne. One legend says that Joachim and Anne were childless for many years before Mary was born. They dedicated Mary to God and raised her to love and serve the Lord. We know this because when the angel appeared to Mary to tell her that she had been chosen to become the mother of Christ, Mary was ready and willing to do anything God asked of her.

Activity

Grandparents are really important in families. Usually, they’re the ones who taught your parents how to be parents, just like Joachim and Anne taught Mary how to be a good, godly mother for Jesus. Today, tell Joachim and Anne “Thank you,” for teaching Mary to be faithful to God, and then write notes to your own grandparents, thanking them for what they have done for you and your parents. (If your grandparents have died, you can still thank them, just by talking to them.

Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Saint Joachim at Catholic Encyclopedia

Saint Anne at Catholic Encyclopedia 

Catholic Culture