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In the Catholic tradition, St. Joachim is the Patron Saint of Fathers, Grandfathers, Grandparents, Married Couples, and Cabinet Makers. He is shown in old art forms always as an old man, often in the company of his wife Anne, the mother of Mary. The traditional tomb of St. Anne and St. Joachim was rediscovered in Jerusalem in 1889, and both share the feast day of July 26th.
Saint Anne was born in Bethlehem but soon after moved to Sephoris near Nazareth where she later met and married her husband, Joachim, a wealthy member of one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Although they were quite wealthy, they lived modestly and gave much of their wealth to the poor.
The couple was deeply grieved, by their childlessness. “He called to mind Abraham,” the early Christian writing says, “that in the last day God gave him a son Isaac.” In Matthew Chapter 19 reminds of the old WIIFM - What's in it for me" "26 Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?”
According to tradition the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Anne after years of prayer and sacrifice to announce she would be the mother of a daughter and she would be called p o
Mary who would then give birth to the Redeemer of mankind. Also, according to tradition, while Joachim was away from home, an angel of God appeared to him in a vision. This angel promised that he and Saint Anne would bear a child who would be blessed through the ages. Upon waking from this vision, St. Joachim rushed home to share his excitement with his beloved wife. She was there to greet him, only to reveal the same good tidings as she was promised in another visitation from God's messenger.
The couple's faith and perseverance brought them through the sorrow of childlessness, to the joy of conceiving and raising the immaculate and sinless woman who would give birth to Christ.
When Mary was 3 years old, Anne and Joachim brought her to the Temple in Jerusalem where she was dedicated to serve God. The child they so dearly loved and prayed for was no longer theirs to raise but she was offered to God in the Temple to serve Him. According to the Catholic Catechism The "splendor of an entirely unique holiness" by which Mary is "enriched from the first instant of her conception" comes wholly from Christ: she is "redeemed, in a more exalted fashion, by reason of the merits of her Son". The Father blessed Mary more than any other created person "in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" and chose her "in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before him in love". CCC 492
As a result of his exemplary love, devotion and obedience to the Will of the Father, St. Joachim was named Patron of fathers, grandfathers, grandparents, married couples, cabinet makers and linen traders. While St. Anne was named Patroness of mothers, grandmothers, grandparents, unmarried women, infertile women, and unborn children. She is shown in art forms as a loving mother to Mary, often in the company of her beloved husband, St. Joachim, and many times with the infant, Jesus.
Images of Saint Joachim are often identified by the presence of his associated symbols. A book or scroll represents linen makers, a shepherd's staff for the Christian word, and a basket of doves represents peace. He is almost always dressed in green, the color of hope.
Prayer to Saints Joachim and Anne
Sts. Joachim and Anne, you longed to serve God through parenthood in your marriage. Despite years of childlessness, you continued to ask God for a child and persevered in hope. Please persevere in bringing my petitions before the throne of God!
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