The story of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim

Grandparents of the Messiah

St Anne and St Joachim are the parents of the Virgin Mary, and therefore the maternal grandparents of Jesus Christ. Although they are not mentioned in the canonical Gospels, their story is transmitted to us by the apocryphal Gospels, in particular the Protevangel of James. These ancient texts, although not recognised as inspired, have nourished Christian tradition and devotion since the first centuries.

Joachim and Anne lived in Jerusalem, or perhaps in Galilee, according to some traditions. They were pious, generous to the poor, faithful to Jewish Law, but their couple suffered a great sorrow: they had no children. In the Jewish culture of the time, this was seen as a disgrace, a sign of divine disgrace. They bore this burden in prayer and hope.

A birth promised by God

One day, when Joachim has gone to the desert to pray and offer sacrifices, an angel appears to him to announce that God has heard their prayers: his wife Anne is going to conceive a child blessed by God. At the same time, Anne receives the same announcement in her home. The joy of the reunion between the two spouses is immense, and a few months later, Mary is born in their home.

This miraculous birth, awaited and blessed, is seen as a prefiguration of the Incarnation. For it was in this soil of prayer, patience and pure faith that the woman who would become the Mother of the Saviour would grow up. Anne and Joachim brought Mary up in the faith and consecrated her at an early age to the service of the Temple.

Models of faith and trust

St. Anne and St. Joachim are a model for couples, parents and grandparents. They embody patience in times of trial, trust in God even when everything seems fruitless, and the importance of passing on the faith within the family. Their simple and silent lives, all turned towards God, discreetly prepared the great mystery of the Incarnation.

Tradition affirms that Saint Anne died before Jesus' Passion, and that she rests in Jerusalem. As for Joachim, he is celebrated with her, although his cult came later.

A very strong popular devotion

The cult of Saint Anne was particularly strong in the East from the 4th century, and then in the West from the Middle Ages onwards. Numerous cathedrals, chapels and shrines were dedicated to her, including Auray in Brittany, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré in Quebec, and Apt and Düren in Germany.

She is the patron saint of grandmothers, mothers, pregnant women and couples expecting children. Joachim is invoked with her for families and the transmission of the faith. Together, they remind us that holiness can be born in a humble and faithful life, in silent waiting and absolute trust.