Who were Joachim and Anne? Why are they so important to remember and celebrate in our faith and devotion?
Who were Saints Joachim and Anne?
Christian tradition names Joachim and Anne as the parents of the Virgin Mary and the maternal grandparents of Jesus. Honoured as the patron saints of grandparents and parenting, their Feast Day is 26th July.
Origins and Tradition
They are not mentioned in the New Testament and historical details about their lives come mainly from early Christian texts such as the second-century Protoevangelium of James.
According to this Tradition they were childless
Joachim and Anne were a devout and wealthy couple who suffered the deep sorrow of being childless for much of their marriage. Joachim was of the tribe of Judah (a descendant of King David) and Anne was of the tribe of Levi.
In the Bible, being unable to bear children was a major stigma and barrier to being accepted, both in religious and social life. Hence the Old Testament stories of both Abraham and Sarah and Hannah and Eli, and the New Testament story of Elizabeth and Zechariah being so significant.
The Annunciation
After Joachim was publicly shamed at the Temple for his inability to produce offspring, he retreated to the desert to fast and pray. Anne, mourning both her husband’s absence and her barrenness, also prayed for a child, vowing to dedicate the infant to the service of God. Just as Hannah had dedicated her boy Samuel to God in the Temple in 1 Samuel 1 and 2.
An angel appeared separately to Joachim and Anne, announcing that they would conceive. In religious art, once they hear the good news the couple meet at the Golden Gate to give thanks to God. In Hebrew it is called “the Gate of Mercy”. Orthodox Jews believe this is the gate the Messiah will enter to rebuild the Temple. Christian tradition holds it as the gate Jesus entered on Palm Sunday.
Birth and Dedication
The old couple welcomed the birth of Mary and when she was three, they dedicated her to the Temple in Jerusalem where she was educated.
Symbolism, Devotion and Patronage
Joachim and Anne are venerated across the Catholic Church as the patron saints of grandparents and married couples because of their patience and faith in conceiving Mary in later life. They created the nurturing family environment in which Mary grew up and learned to listen to the Lord. Mary’s loving faithfulness and openness to God prepared her to become the Mother of God’s son, Jesus Christ.
The Western Catholic Church commemorates their joint feast day on 26th July, while the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates them on 9th September.
The Opening Prayer (Collect) for the Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne
The Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office. 0.5.7) asks God for the salvation promised to His people through the intercession of Jesus’ grandparents.
“God of our fathers,
you gave Saints Joachim and Anne the privilege of being the parents of Mary,
the mother of your incarnate Son.
May their prayers help us to attain the salvation you have promised to your people.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.”
Main painting:
Filippino Lippi. Meeting of Joachim and Anne at the Golden Gate, c.1497.
The Statens Museum for Kunst: SMK, Copenhagen, Denmark.
