MEMORIAL: JULY 26
St. Joachim and St. Anne are the traditional names for the father and mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We have no information about them from the Bible. But there are some non-canonical texts from the early church that give us some clues. Tradition has it that Joachim and Anne were wealthy and respected but could not conceive a child. They turned to prayer and fasting, and God heard their prayer. They consecrated Mary to God, making sure her innocence and purity were always protected. They are the patron saints of grandparents since they are the Grandparents of Jesus.
