BLOG: Saints Joachim and Anne

Do you know that the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne is July 26?!? The day set aside to honor the grandparents of Jesus—and all grandparents.

This year, I have even more reason to celebrate: I am now a first-time grandma (specifically “Lala”) to a beautiful six-month-old baby girl!

We know quite a bit about the Blessed Virgin Mary, but very little about her parents. Apparently even their names—Joachim and Anne—come from tradition rather than scripture, originating in a second-century text known as the Protoevangelium of James. (I only recently discovered that through research for this blog!)

In the Gospels, Matthew and Luke carefully trace Jesus' legal lineage, highlighting His fulfillment of ancient promises. Yet Mary’s family history is largely left unspoken. I’m currently reading The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary: From the Visions of Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich, a book based on the visions of the German mystic who was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2004. It is opening my eyes to the deeper spiritual and familial roots of Mary’s life—her upbringing, her ancestors' expectations, and the sacred context into which Jesus was born. (Of course, I’m still in the middle of the book—which always seems to be the case when I’m writing these blogs!)

Through Mary—so deeply grounded in the faith of her people—we glimpse the power of generations who remained steadfast in prayer, hope, and devotion. Her courage, wisdom, and loyalty to family reflect a home rooted in love and faithfulness. At the foundation of that home stood Joachim and Anne, whose quiet, faithful lives helped prepare the world for the coming of the Messiah. Tradition tells us they were a wealthy couple who generously tithed and gave to the poor. They had long prayed and pleaded with God for the gift of a child—and in His perfect timing, their prayers were answered.

St. Anne’s name means “grace,” and Joachim’s means “raised by Yahweh” or “established by God.” These holy grandparents were given the gifts and graces needed to raise the Mother of God.

The feast of Saints Joachim and Anne is more than a tribute—it’s a reminder. As grandparents, we are called to help shape future generations. In our Catholic tradition, grandparents are more than just caretakers or babysitters; we are memory-keepers, witnesses, and prayer warriors. We hold hands, wipe tears, tell stories, and—most importantly—offer unconditional love that points back to God.

But what happens when our hands are tied—when, out of respect for our children’s wishes, we are not allowed to openly share our faith with our grandchildren? In those moments, I turn even more deeply to Saints Joachim and Anne. I entrust my grandchild to their powerful intercession, praying that grace finds a way into her life beyond my words. I strive to be a quiet, joyful witness—planting seeds through love, kindness, and example. I offer my longing as a spiritual sacrifice, my cross, uniting it with Christ’s own love for her. And I never lose hope—because God’s timing is always perfect.

Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, pray for us and for all grandparents trying to plant seeds of faith!