Feast of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne:

Feast day : 26 July

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. According to tradition, they remained childless for many years of their married life. Though they belonged to wealthy and honourable families, they suffered greatly owing to their childlessness which was then considered a sign of punishment from God. They endured these years of suffering through prayer and rigorous penances. At the end of their long wait, God was pleased to entrust to them His most precious creation, Mary, Mother of the long awaited Messiah.

According to tradition, though Joachim and Anne were wealthy and lived an honourable life, they suffered greatly on account of their childlessness. According to the Jewish laws, childlessness was considered a punishment from God. They bore the shame of being condemned by God despite being righteous and devout. Once when Saint Joachim was at the temple to offer sacrifices to the Lord, he was turned away on account of his childlessness. He was greatly hurt and retreated into the mountains where he spent his time in prayer and penances, entreating God to intervene in their deep sorrow. Saint Anne too was greatly grieved and resorted to fervent prayers and penances. Their prayers were finally heard and an angel of the Lord appeared to both of them and announced the coming birth of their daughter, Mary who would be known in the whole world.


After the birth of their daughter, they dedicated her to serve at the temple of the Lord where she would be kept from all worldliness. At the age of three Mary was presented at the temple where she remained, concealed from the world, in holy retirement, serving in the temple, learning the Scriptures and growing in virtues and graces, in preparation for her role in the salvation of mankind. She remained in the temple till her betrothal to Saint Joseph, her Most Chaste Spouse.

The lives of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne inspire us to accept with patience and trust all the sufferings in our lives. They endured their years of suffering through their trust in God’s mercy and love. Saint Joachim and Saint Anne are patrons of infertile couples and grandparents.

The novena to Saint Anne can be prayed here