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Tuesday, 28 July 2009 06:51 |
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SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANNE
Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Memorial
An ancient tradition from the second century attributes the names of Joachim and Anne to the parents of the Blessed Virgin. Devotion to them is a prolongation of the piety with which the faithful have always approached the intercession of their daughter our Mother Mary. Pope Leo XIII created this joint feast, which was celebrated individually up until the most recent liturgical reform.
The home of the Virgin’s parents.
Praised be Joachim and Anne for the child they bore. The Lord gave them the blessing of all the nations (Entrance Antiphon).
A very ancient tradition has preserved for us the names of Mary’s parents, who were, in their time and historical circumstances, a precious foundational stone in the fulfilment of the salvation of mankind (John Paul II, Address, 26 July 1983). Through them, the blessing that God promised Abraham and his descendants has reached us, since we received the Saviour through their cooperation. St John Damascene affirms that we know the blessed couple by their fruits: the Virgin Mary is the resplendent fruit they gave to humanity. Saint Anne conceived her, most pure and immaculate, in her womb. Oh, most beautiful, most lovable child! - the holy Doctor exclaims - Oh, daughter of Adam and Mother of God! Blessed be the womb that bore you! Blessed be the aims that held you, the lips that had the privilege of kissing you… (Liturgy of the Hours, St John Damascene, About the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, 6). Saints Joachim and Anne had the immense privilege of caring for the Mother of God in their own home. The Lord must have poured out many graces on them throughout this time. St Teresa of Avila, who used to put the monasteries she founded under the protection of St Joseph and St Anne, argues: The mercy of God is so great he will never fail to favour the homes of his glorious grandmother (cf M. Auclair, Teresa of Avila, p.316). Jesus descended directly from the maternal side of the faithful parents whose feast we celebrate today.
We can entrust the mother and father of Our Lady with all our needs, especially the ones that have to do with the sanctity of our homes. Lord, God of our fathers - we pray in the Liturgy of the Mass - you gave Saints Joachim and Anne the privilege of being the parents of Mary, the mother of your Incarnate Son. May their prayers help us to attain the salvation you have promised to your people (Opening Prayer). Help us to be vigilant on behalf of those you have put under our care. Teach us how to create a human and supernatural tone for our surroundings, in which it will be easier to find you, our last end and our treasure.
With permission from Scepter UK. Short excerpt from IN CONVERSATION WITH GOD by Francis Fernandez. Available at SinagTala or Totus Bookstore 723-4326 or at www.totusbookstore. com (info@totusbookstore .com)
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