The Sacred Scriptures make no reference to Joachim and Anne as the parents of Mary. A major source of our information regarding them is the Protoevangelium of St.James, a second-century-old apocryphal and uncanonical book that records the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It narrates that Joachim and Anne lived in Nazareth and that they were desolate due to childlessness. They prayed and fasted for forty days. As a result an angel appeared to them and assured them that they would be blessed with a child. Mary was the fruit of the tears, prayers and fasts of this holy couple. In other words, Anne conceived the Blessed Virgin in her old age through a special intervention of God, thus establishing a parallel between the births of Mary, John the Baptist and Samuel. (1 Sam, Chapter 1; Lk.1: 11-24). It was Emperor Justinian I who, in 550, constructed the first Church in honour of Sts. Joachim and Anne at Constantinople. Artistic representations in Venice and elsewhere point out that devotion to these two Saints in the West could be traced back to the sixth Century. History and archaeology apart, we cannot deny that Joachim and Anne played a crucial role, behind the scenes, in moulding Mary for her sublime role in the drama of Redemption. They are models for Christian parents, who have the responsibility to bring up their children in Christian virtues while being solicitous for providing them with a career in the world.
Reflection: Mary’s prompt obedience to the will of God, her deep knowledge of Scriptures, her strict adherence to the Mosaic laws and to the traditions of her Religion, her close-knit ties with relatives …speak volumes about the nature and character of Joachim and Anne. They brought up their daughter in an atmosphere of holiness through love and service, while they themselves preferred to remain obscure. Joachim and Anne deserve to be honoured as Patron Saints of Parents and Spouses.
“Respect your father and mother” is the first commandment that has a promise added: “so that all may go well with you, and you may live a long life in the land.” (Eph.6: 3)
