Saint Joachim & Saint Anne
Image Courtesy: uCatholic
(Franciscan Media) In the Scriptures, Matthew and Luke furnish a legal family history of Jesus, tracing ancestry to show that Jesus is the culmination of great promises, not only is his mother’s family neglected, we also know nothing factual about them except of their existence–Even the names: Joachim and Anne come from a legendary source written more than a century after Jesus’ crucifixion, death and resurrection.
The heroism and holiness of these individuals however is inferred from the whole family atmosphere around Mary in the Scriptures–Whether we rely on the legends about Mary’s childhood or make guesses from the information in the Bible, we see in her fulfillment of many generations of prayerful persons, herself steeped in the religious traditions of her ancestors.
The strong character of Mary making decisions, her continuous practice of prayer, her devotion to the Torah, her steadfastness in moments of crisis and her devotion to her family–all indicate, a close knit and loving family that looked forward to the next generation, even while retaining the best of the past.
Saint’s Joachim and Anne, whether these are their real names or not, represent that entire quiet series of generations, who faithfully performed their duties, practice their faith and establish an atmosphere for the Coming of the Messiah but remain obscure.
Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St’s Joachim & Anne, Visit: -USCCB