On July 26th the Catholic church will celebrate the feast day of Sts. Anne and Joachim. They are the parents of Mary and the grandparents of Jesus. St. Anne and St. Joachim are the patron saints of parents and grandparents.
Although most of what we know about them is legendary, their names were passed down in the non-biblical Gospel of James. Tradition tells us they were wealthy but pious. St. Anne conceived late in life, after the appearance of an angel. The Angel promised them they would have a child. Anne promised to dedicate the child to God. The feast day of The Holy Family is celebrated the Sunday after Christmas.
We reflect on their feast day about the importance of family and love. Tradition also tells us that a church was built on the site of the home of St. Joachim and St. Anne at the Mount of Olives.
We are created in the image of God…
from the time there is conception there is the life of God…
that is why it is so wrong to destroy life,
to destroy the image of God.
Quote of St. Teresa of Calcutta; Feast day September 5
July is the Month of the Most Precious Blood.