SS. Joachim and Anne, Parents of Mary

Next Tuesday 26th July is the Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the Parents of Mary and thus the maternal grandparents of Jesus. Unfortunately, we know nothing about them from Scripture and even the names that Tradition has given them come from a legendary source, written more than a century after the Resurrection. Even so, their heroism and holiness can be inferred from the whole family atmosphere around Mary in the Scriptures. Mary is the fulfilment of many generations of prayerful persons. Her strong character in making decisions, her continuous practice of prayer, her devotion to the laws of her faith, her steadiness at moments of crisis, and her devotion to her relatives, all indicate a close-knit, loving family that looked forward to the next generation even while retaining the best of the past. Joachim and Anne thus represent a generation who faithfully performed their duties, practiced their faith, and established an atmosphere for the coming of the Messiah. Next Tuesday, let us pray for our own grandparents, alive or dead. Grandparents have a responsibility to establish the right tone for the next generations. Thursday’s feast also reminds the young that older people’s greater perspective, depth of experience, and appreciation of life’s profound rhythms are all part of a wisdom not to be taken lightly or ignored.