Celebrate our grandparents on the Feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne

On July 26, let us honor Sts. Joachim and Anne — the parents of Mary, Mother of God, and the grandparents of Jesus. July 26 also falls near the day the Church celebrates World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Fittingly, Sts. Joachim and Anne are the patron saints of grandparents and married couples. 

Sts. Joachim and Anne are never mentioned in the Bible but their story is told in The Protoevangelium of James, or the Gospel of James, written in the second century A.D. Other apocryphal literature, the Gospel of the Nativity of Mary and the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew, also contain some writings on Mary’s parents. 

According to the story, Anne, or Hannah in Hebrew, was born in Bethlehem and married Joachim. The couple lived a comfortable and devout life in Nazareth but were unable to conceive. Joachim attempted to make an offering at the Temple but was sent away because he was childless. He then escaped into the wild to pray. Anne, upset with her husband’s disappearance and her barrenness, promised God that if she were given a child, she would dedicate it to the Lord’s service. Both received a visit from an angel announcing that Anne would conceive despite her older age.  

They rejoiced when their daughter, Mary, was born. When she turned three years old, as promised, Joachim and Anne left Mary at the Temple of Jerusalem to be brought up. This celebration day is called the “Presentation of the Virgin Mary.” 

Their story is also told in “The Golden Legend,” a collection of biographies of saints in order of their feast days by Jacobus de Voragine. The book was widely read in Europe during the Late Middle Ages. Devotion to Saint Anne began to grow in Europe in the sixth century. 

According to CatholicCulture.org, Anne or Ann, meaning “grace,” became the most popular girl’s name in central Europe in the 19th century, surpassing Mary. There was a famous saying that “all Annes are beautiful.” Variations such as Mary Ann, Marianne, Marian, Ann Marie, Joanne, Elizabeth Ann, Lillian, Martha Ann, Louise Ann, and Patricia Ann became popular, as well. 

In Europe on Saint Anne’s Day, the festival “of all Annes” (meaning all beautiful girls) would be celebrated. Saint Anne’s Eve was the day of receptions for debutantes. After the girls paraded through town, bands played, and fireworks were set off.  

The Archdiocese of Newark has three St. Anne’s churches in Fair Lawn, Garwood, and Jersey City. It also has two St. Ann’s churches in Hoboken and Jersey City. 

Following a nine-day novena, St. Ann’s Church in Hoboken will hold a festival in St. Anne’s honor on July 24.

Here is the prayer to ask for intercession for your grandparents or grandchildren:  

Saints Joachim and Anne, you were given the incredible privilege and responsibility to give birth to and raise the Immaculate Conception, the Mother of God. Her presence in your lives touched you both deeply and left you in awe of God’s grace. Please pray for me, that I may come to love your daughter and your Grandson with the same love you bore for each of them, so that I will enjoy their company in Heaven one day, just as you do today. Saints Joachim and Anne, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.