Joachim and Anne were the parents of Jesus’ mother, Mary. We believe that they were respected members of the Jewish community and that they wanted to become parents so much that Joachim went into the desert to fast and pray that God would hear their prayer. It is said that an angel told them that they would soon have a daughter who would become famous throughout the world.
Months later, Mary, our Blessed Mother, was born. Tradition tells us that when Mary was three years old, Anne and Joachim took her to the temple in Jerusalem to consecrate her for special service to the Lord. We call this celebration the “Presentation of the Virgin Mary.” It means that Mary was to play an important part in God’s loving plan for the world.
We honor Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne, as saints. We celebrate their joint feast day on July 26. Their love for one another and for Mary is an example to us of how God calls us to live. They also remind us to honor our own grandparents and to thank them for the blessings they have passed down to us in love.
Saint Anne is the patron saint of unmarried women, housewives, women in labor, grandmothers, childless people, equestrians, lacemakers, miners, the poor, and seamstresses.
Saint Joachim is the patron saint of fathers, grandfathers, grandparents, married couples, cabinet makers, and linen traders.