July 26
Saints Anne and Joachim
Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Late First Century B.C. – Early First Century A.D.)
“The Lord has looked upon thy tears; thou shalt conceive and give birth and the fruit of thy womb shall be blessed by all the world.”
The Angel’s response to Saint Anne’s request for a child
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Their Life
There is no actual Biblical data on Saints Joachim and Anne. So, all our information concerning the names and lives of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of Blessed Virgin Mary, is derived from apocryphal literature, the Gospel of the Nativity of Mary, the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew and the Protoevangelium of James.
Childless for Twenty Years
The Protoevangelium gives the following account: In Nazareth, there lived a rich and pious couple, Joachim and Anne (Hannah in Hebrew meaning grace). They were childless for twenty years. When on a feast day, Joachim presented himself to offer sacrifice in the temple. He was pushed back by a certain Ruben, under the pretext that men without offspring were unworthy to be admitted.
Prayers Answered By An Angel
Whereupon Joachim, bowed down with grief, did not return home. Instead, he went into the mountains to make pray to God in solitude. Also Anne, having learned the reason of the prolonged absence of her husband, cried to the Lord to take away from her the curse of sterility, promising to dedicate her child to the service of God. Their prayers were heard; an angel came to Anne and said: “Hannah, the Lord has looked upon thy tears; thou shalt conceive and give birth and the fruit of thy womb shall be blessed by all the world”. The angel made the same promise to Joachim, who returned to his wife. Anne gave birth to a daughter whom she called Miriam (Mary).
Mary Taken to the Temple at Three
As a child, Mary was taken to the temple and her parents suffered great sorrow, but at the same time joy for fulfilling the vows they had made to the Lord. Mary was three years old when Anne and Joachim led Her to the Temple steps, saw Her pass by Herself into the inner sanctuary, and then saw Her no more. Thus was Anne left childless in her old age, and deprived of her purest earthly joy. The holiest parents on earth could not, in the plan of God, raise the Blessed Virgin Mary as was needed.
Their Death
Anne and Joachim humbly adored the Divine Will. They continued to watch and pray, until God called them to unending rest. The exact year and location on their death is unknown. While we know very little about the lives of Joachim and Anne, we do know that they must have been outstanding people to have been entrusted with raising the Mother of God.
Devotion to Saint Anne dates back to the sixth century in the Church of Constantinople and the eighth century in Rome. Saint Joachim was honored very early by the Greeks. Devotion to her has been popular in the East from the very early days of the Church; widespread devotion in the West began in the 16th century, but many shrines have developed since.
Saint Anne is the patron saint of the province of Quebec, where the well-known shrine of St. Anne de Beaupre, (the site of many miracles) is located.
Born : Late First Century B.C.
Died: Early First Century A.D
Beatified: Pre-Congregation
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Feast Day: July 26
Source:
Reflection
Saints Joachim and Anne were the grandparents of Jesus and the parents of Mary. They were a devout Jewish couple who, despite their old age and barrenness, continue trusting in God’s plan. They accepted their roles in the divine plan without question, even when faced with societal expectations. Through their love and guidance, they helped prepare Mary to respond generously to God’s call.
Their lives reflect the important role that parents and grandparents play in passing on the faith. Their example shows that teaching children to pray and to serve others can have a lasting impact for generations. The faith they nurtured in Mary helped prepare her to become the Mother of Jesus. Even small acts of faithfulness in our families, can bear great fruit in God’s plan.
These holy saints encourage us to value family and trust in God. Whether we are parents or grandparents, children or grandchildren, we all have opportunities to strengthen one another in faith. By living as examples of love and devotion, we help build a stronger Christian family and community.
Strengthen the faith of someone in your family through your words, actions, and prayers.
Prayers
Saints Joachim and Anne,
You were given the incredible privilege and responsibility to give birth to and raise Mary, 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 us, that we may come to love your daughter and your Grandson with the same love you bore for each of them, so that we will enjoy their company in Heaven one day, just as you do today.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Saints Joachim and Anne, pray for us. Amen.
Saint Links
Aleteia – 5 Ways Sts. Joachim and Anne are 21st-century saints
All Saint Stories – St. Anne
All Saint Stories – St. Joachim
All Saints & Martyrs – Saint Anne – Mother of the Virgin
All Saints & Martyrs – Saint Joachim – Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary
AnaStpaul – Saint/s of the Day – 26 July – Sts Joachim and Anne – Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary & Grandparents of Jesus
Catholic Exchange – Saints Joachim & Anne: Fruitful Infertility by Michele Chronister
Catholic Ireland – Jul 26 – Sts Joachim and Anne – Parents of Mary
CatholicSaints.Info – Saints of the Day – Joachim and Ann, Parents of Mary by Katherine I Rabenstein
Franciscan Media – Saints Joachim and Anne
Herald of the Gospel – Parents of the Messiah’s Mother, Grandparents of God! By Msgr. João Scognamiglio Clá Dias, EP
Loyola Press – Saints Joachim and Ann Feast day July 26
My Catholic Life – Saints Joachim and Anne
Newman Connection – Saint Anne
Reason2bCatholic – Saints Alive! | St. Anne and St. Joachim
Rev Alban Butler’s Lives Of The Saints Complete Edition – St. Anne, Matron
Saint for a Minute – Saint Anne
Saint for a Minute – Saint Joachim
Saints for Sinners – Saint Ann / Anne / Anna
Saint Mary’s Press – Sts. Joachim and Anne (1st century)
Saint Resource – Anne and Joachim
Saints Alive – SS. Anne and Joachim
uCatholic – Saints Joachim and Anne, Grandparents of Jesus
University of Notre Dame – Sts . Anne and Joachim
Video Link
Sts. Joachim and Anne – YouTube (Catholic Online)
SAINT OF THE DAY | Saints Joachim and Anne – YouTube (Holy Fatima)