• Reading I:  Exodus 33:7-11; 34:5b-9, 28
• Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103
• Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:36-43

Today we celebrate the Memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary, the mother of the Savior. Much of what we presently know about them comes to us from the so-called "Protoevangelium of St. James", a document that might as well be a work that included threads of traditions much much earlier to it. It is dated at 125 AD. The work includes details about the betrothal of Mary and Joseph and an account of the Virgin Birth.

We present here an outline of the content of the protoevangelium relative to Sts. Joachim and Anne and the childhood of Mary. These two saints whose cults derive from the Eastern Church are important to us because they were the ones who saw to it that Mary grow into the woman she was meant to be in the eyes of God. If Mary was able to say her FIAT to the angel at the conception of the Lord, was there following Him until the Cross, and was among the disciples when the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost — all of these point to the quality of person she became with the help of her parents.

For today’s readings, two choices are given:  one can continue with the readings of Ordinary Time, or one can use the Sanctoral.

The Protoevangelium of St. James: Sts. Joachim and Anne and the Childhood of Mary

• The Grief of Joachim and Anne: Childlessness (I-II)
• The Lamentation of Anna (Occassioned by the sight of a sparrow’s nest on a laurel tree (III)
• The Response of an Angel and the Message about Joachim (IV, 1-2)
  • Joachim’s response to the message about Anna’s conception (IV, 3)
  • The joyful meeting of Anna and Joachim (IV, 4)
  • Joachim’s offering (V,1)
  • Annah gives birth to a child she called "Mary" (V,2)
• Mary’s Childhood
  • The infant grows
    • Until she was 1 year old (V, 1-2)
    • Anna’s Song of Praise and Thanksgiving (V,3)
    • Until she was 3 years old (VII, 1-2)
    • Mary’s entrance into the Temple (VII, 3)
    • Mary until 12 years old (VIII, 1-3)

A Note about the Protoevangelium of St. James

Full Text

A Personal Testimony

My memories of celebrating today’s feast as a child are very vivid. My home parish held a novena to St. Anne nine days prior to her feast day and I remember going to church every evening with mom to the devotions. I was always in awe of how my mom and the other women in our small French community were so devoted to St. Anne. When mom asked which of us kids wished to accompany her, I always volunteered — it was a special treat and a privilege to participate in this summer evening novena praying the beautiful devotions in the quiet, candle lit church that smelled of incense and sweet perfume. It was so meditative and mystical –at times I could almost feel her holy presence in the contemplative setting. I also remember feeling a sense of joy and accomplishment when it was over — I felt as if I had helped mom in achieving something special for our family and for the Lord. (Catholic Fire)

Sts. Joachim and Anne on the Web

• Catholic Online: The Parents of Our Lady
• American Catholic: Sts. Joachim and Anne
• Catholic Culture: The Parents of Mary
• Catholic Encyclopedia
• WikiPedia: St. Joachim
• WikiPedia: St. Anne
• Catholic News Agency: Sts. Joachim and Anne

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