Today the Church celebrates Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the grandparents of Jesus! We ask for their intercession today for all parents and grandparents. According to legend, they were barren before conceiving Mary, so we also entrust all couples struggling to conceive to their prayers.
“Joachim and Anne, how chaste a couple! While safeguarding the chastity prescribed by the law of nature, you achieved with God’s help something which transcends nature in giving the world the Virgin Mother of God as your daughter. While leading a devout and holy life in your human nature, you gave birth to a daughter nobler than the angels, whose queen she now is.” (From a sermon by St. John Damascene)
Saints Joachim and Anne, pray for us! (And happy feast day to our Saints Joachim & Anne Pastorate!)
