Saints Joachim and Anne are revered as the venerable parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known for their unwavering faith and piety that prepared them to raise the Mother of God.
Saints Joachim and Anne, though not mentioned in the canonical Scriptures, are deeply venerated in Christian tradition as the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, making them the grandparents of Jesus Christ. Tradition holds them as devout and righteous individuals who, despite facing advanced age and childlessness, persevered in prayer and trust in God, eventually being blessed with Mary. Their lives exemplify profound faith, patience, and the sanctity of marriage and family, serving as a powerful testament to God's providence and the importance of a holy upbringing for children, thereby contributing foundational lineage to the Incarnation.
Saints Joachim and Anne, though not explicitly named in the canonical Scriptures, hold a profound and cherished place within the heart of Christian tradition, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church. Their story, primarily drawn from the Protoevangelium of James, a second-century apocryphal text, portrays them as the venerable parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, making them the grandparents of Jesus Christ. Tradition describes Joachim as a wealthy and pious man from Nazareth or Galilee, and Anne as a virtuous woman from Bethlehem, both descended from the royal line of David. Their lives were marked by deep faith and adherence to God's laws, and they were renowned for their charity and devotion, dividing their income into three parts: one for the Temple, one for the poor, and one for their own sustenance. However, despite their righteousness, they faced the profound sorrow and social stigma of childlessness, a condition considered a divine curse in their culture, which caused them immense grief and public humiliation. This trial, however, only deepened their reliance on God and their fervent prayers for a child.
The narrative recounts a particularly poignant incident where Joachim, due to his childless state, was rejected from offering a sacrifice at the Temple by a priest named Reuben, who declared that he was unworthy to approach God's altar as he had not produced offspring for Israel. Deeply shamed and heartbroken, Joachim did not return home but instead retreated to the desert, spending forty days and forty nights among shepherds and their flocks, fasting and praying intensely for God's mercy and intervention. Meanwhile, Anne, back home, also grieved profoundly, not only for their shared sorrow but also for her husband's absence and the public disgrace. She too poured out her heart in prayer, lamenting her barrenness and pleading with God to grant her a child, promising to dedicate such a child to the service of the Lord.
God, in His infinite mercy and wisdom, heard their persistent and heartfelt prayers. An angel appeared separately to both Joachim and Anne, announcing that their petitions had been heard and that they would conceive and bear a child who would be spoken of throughout the world. The angel revealed to Joachim that Anne would conceive, and to Anne that she would bear a daughter who would be called Mary, a name meaning 'beloved of God' or 'exalted one.' This miraculous conception, often referred to as the Immaculate Conception in a broader sense of Mary's pure lineage, underscored the divine favor upon this holy couple. Filled with immense joy and gratitude, the angel instructed Joachim to return to Jerusalem, where he would meet Anne at the Golden Gate, symbolizing their reunion and the beginning of a new chapter in salvation history.
Their reunion at the Golden Gate of Jerusalem, a moment frequently depicted in Christian art, signifies the culmination of their prayers and the divine promise fulfilled. Anne, as prophesied, conceived and nine months later gave birth to Mary, the Immaculate Virgin, who was destined to become the Mother of God. From Mary's earliest days, Joachim and Anne dedicated themselves to raising her in piety and holiness, fostering her spiritual development and preparing her for her unique role in God's plan. They are believed to have presented Mary in the Temple at the age of three, fulfilling Anne's vow to dedicate their child to the Lord, a tradition that further highlights their profound faith and commitment to God's will. Their lives thus became a testament to enduring faith, patience, and the profound sanctity of marriage and family life, demonstrating how God can bring forth great blessings from seemingly impossible circumstances.
The veneration of Saints Joachim and Anne dates back to the early centuries of Christianity, particularly in the Eastern Church, where their feast day was celebrated much earlier than in the West. Their feast day, July 26th, commemorates their holy lives and their pivotal role in the lineage of Christ. They are revered as patrons of grandparents, childless couples, and those seeking a happy marriage, offering a powerful example of trust in divine providence, perseverance in prayer, and the importance of a devout upbringing. Their significance lies not only in their biological connection to Mary and Jesus but also in their spiritual legacy: they provided the immediate human context for the Incarnation, nurturing the one chosen by God to bear His Son. Without their faithfulness, the human lineage through which the Messiah would come would have been incomplete, underscoring their indispensable contribution to salvation history.
In contemporary Catholic devotion, Saints Joachim and Anne continue to be honored as models of holiness within the family. Pope Francis, for instance, has frequently emphasized their role as the grandparents of Jesus, highlighting the importance of the elderly and the intergenerational transmission of faith. Their story reminds us that every family, every marriage, and every individual's journey of faith plays a crucial part in God's grand design. They teach us that even in the face of deep disappointment and societal pressure, unwavering faith and persistent prayer can lead to miraculous outcomes, ultimately contributing to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for humanity. Their quiet, faithful lives set the stage for the most momentous event in human history, making them truly pillars of the Christian faith and enduring symbols of hope and divine love.
In the ancient city of Jerusalem, lived Joachim and Anne, a couple renowned for their piety and devotion. They were descended from the royal line of David, yet despite their upright lives and fervent prayers, a heavy sorrow weighed upon their hearts: they were childless. In their society, barrenness was often seen as a sign of divine disfavor, and this perception brought them immense grief and public shame. Each year, Joachim, a man of considerable wealth and charity, would go to the Temple to offer his sacrifices to the Lord.
But one day, as he approached the altar, he was met by a stern priest named Reuben, who rebuked him publicly. "You are not worthy to offer sacrifice with those who have children," Reuben declared, "for you have not brought forth fruit in Israel." Joachim's heart sank, crushed by the humiliation. Rather than returning home to face his beloved Anne with this fresh wound, he retreated in sorrow to the wilderness, joining the shepherds and their flocks. There, for forty days and forty nights, he fasted and prayed ceaselessly, pouring out his soul to God, pleading for the blessing of a child.
Meanwhile, back in their home, Anne was consumed by her own despair. She wept bitterly, not only for their shared barrenness but now for her husband's absence and the unspoken shame. As she sat beneath a laurel tree in her garden, lamenting her fate, she cried out to the heavens, "O God of my fathers, bless me and hear my prayer, as you blessed Sarah and gave her a son! If you grant me a child, whether male or female, I will dedicate it to you, to serve you all the days of its life." As her tears fell, a brilliant light enveloped her, and an angel of the Lord appeared before her, saying, "Anne, Anne, the Lord has heard your prayer! Behold, you shall conceive and give birth, and your offspring shall be spoken of throughout the entire world!"
At the same moment, in the desolate wilderness, an angel also appeared to Joachim. "Joachim, Joachim," the heavenly messenger proclaimed, "the Lord has heard your prayer! Go down from here, for your wife Anne shall conceive." The angel instructed him to meet Anne at the Golden Gate of Jerusalem, a sacred entrance to the Temple precincts. Overjoyed and filled with renewed hope, Joachim immediately set out for the city, gathering his flocks and making his way with haste.
As Joachim approached the Golden Gate, he saw Anne walking towards him, her face radiant with a joy he had not seen in years. They embraced tenderly, their hearts overflowing with gratitude and wonder, knowing that God had indeed heard their prayers and was about to fulfill His promise. This poignant reunion at the Golden Gate became a powerful symbol of divine intervention and the fruit of enduring faith. True to the angelic prophecy, Anne conceived and, in due time, gave birth to a daughter, whom they named Mary—the very one destined to become the Mother of God. Their unwavering faith, patience in suffering, and profound trust in God's providence, even in the face of public disgrace and personal sorrow, reveal the depth of their holiness and their pivotal role in salvation history.
July 25, 2021
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today we celebrate the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. A beautiful day, chosen by God Himself, for he is the one who puts children and young people at the centre of his care, but he also wants to show us how much he cares about the elderly, who are a precious treasure for our families and our communities. As the Lord says in the Prophet Isaiah: “Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save” (Is 46:4). This is the Lord’s promise, his love for us.
Today, the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, reminds us of the importance of passing on faith and tradition from one generation to the next. The readings for today’s Mass invite us to reflect on this. In the first reading, we heard how the people of Israel were called to remember the mighty deeds of the Lord throughout their history, to keep them alive in their memory, and to hand them down to their children and grandchildren. “Take heed to yourselves, and keep your souls diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children” (Deut 4:9). This is the mission of grandparents: to pass on the faith, to pass on the memory of God’s presence in our lives, to pass on the great story of salvation. They are the guardians of memory.
In the Gospel, we heard about the visit of Mary to Elizabeth. Two women, one young and one elderly, who meet and rejoice in the Lord. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes Mary as the Mother of God, and Mary sings her Magnificat, praising God for his greatness. This encounter is a beautiful image of the encounter between generations, where the young bring new life and hope, and the elderly bring wisdom and memory. It is a fruitful encounter, because it is an encounter with God, who is present in both.
Grandparents and the elderly are not only a treasure for our families, but also for our society and for the Church. They are the roots that allow the tree to grow and bear fruit. They are the memory of a people, the living history that should be preserved and passed on. Without roots, we cannot grow. Without memory, we cannot build the future. It is important that young people meet grandparents and the elderly, and that grandparents and the elderly meet young people. This exchange of wisdom and enthusiasm is crucial for the future of humanity. It is the encounter that generates life and fertility.
Today, we also remember the solitude that many elderly people experience, especially in this time of pandemic. We must not forget them. They are our roots. They have given us life, they have given us wisdom, they have given us so much. We must be close to them, show them our affection, and ensure that they are not left alone. A society that abandons its elderly is a barren society, a society that has lost its memory. We must care for our elderly, just as they cared for us. They are a gift from God, a blessing for our families and for our communities. Let us pray for them, let us visit them, let us listen to them. Let us learn from their wisdom.
Saints Joachim and Anne remind us that God’s plan of salvation unfolds through the generations, through the ordinary lives of faithful people. They teach us that patience, prayer, and trust in God are never in vain. They waited for many years, enduring the pain of childlessness, yet they never lost faith. And in God’s good time, they were blessed with Mary, who became the mother of our Savior. Their lives are a testament to the power of hope and the faithfulness of God. They show us that holiness is found in living out our vocations, even in the most humble and hidden ways, always with open hearts to God’s will.
Let us thank God for the gift of grandparents and the elderly. Let us ask Saints Joachim and Anne to intercede for all grandparents and the elderly, that they may be strengthened in faith, filled with joy, and continue to be a source of wisdom and love for us all. And let us ask the Lord to help us, young and old, to build a society where no one is left alone, where everyone is valued, and where the wisdom of the elderly is cherished and shared. Amen.
The celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, instituted by Pope Francis, which is observed annually on the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne.
Pope Francis established this day to highlight the importance of grandparents and the elderly in transmitting faith and wisdom, aligning with Saints Joachim and Anne's role as the grandparents of Jesus and parents of Mary.
Pilgrimages to shrines dedicated to Saint Anne, such as the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, where pilgrims seek intercession for family intentions, healing, and fertility.
Saint Anne is widely venerated as a powerful intercessor, particularly for mothers, childless couples, and families, due to her miraculous conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary after years of barrenness.
Prayers and novenas offered by childless couples seeking intercession for conception and safe childbirth, drawing inspiration from Saints Joachim and Anne's story of enduring barrenness and eventual miraculous parenthood.
The central narrative of Saints Joachim and Anne involves their long period of childlessness and subsequent divine intervention that led to the birth of Mary, making them patrons for those desiring children.
Special blessings for grandparents and the elderly are often offered in parishes on or around the feast day, recognizing their vital role in families and the Church.
As the revered grandparents of Jesus, Saints Joachim and Anne symbolize the wisdom, love, and faith passed down through generations, making their feast an opportune time to honor all grandparents and elderly individuals.
Family gatherings and celebrations emphasizing intergenerational connections, with a focus on honoring the elderly members of the family.
Their feast day serves as a natural occasion to celebrate the family unit and the contributions of grandparents, reflecting the sanctity of the Holy Family's lineage.