The Critical Role of Grandparents: St. Joachim and St. Anne – Patron saints of Grandparents

In the first chapters of their Gospels, the evangelists  Matthew and Luke give us a family history of Jesus, tracing his ancestry to show that Jesus’ birth is the culmination of great promises. He is the long awaited Messiah whose life, death and Resurrection would bring new life and freedom.  His Mother Mary and foster-Father Joseph are strong examples of trust in God and courage in the face of the unknown and unanticipated actions of God.

The remarkable character of Mary in making decisions, her continuous practice of prayer, her devotion to the laws of her faith, her steadiness at moments of crisis, and her devotion to her relatives—all indicate a close-knit, loving family that looked forward to the next generation even while retaining the best of the past. Her Grandparents, St. Joachim and St. Anne, named in Church Tradition, represent that entire quiet series of generations who faithfully perform their duties, practice their faith, and establish an atmosphere for the coming of the Messiah, but yet remain in the background often obscure.

What about these grandparents of Mary? Tradition teaches very little about them except to present them as models of faith and commitment.  They provided Mary with a family life of devotion and attentiveness to God’s will.  Mary, as a model for us of prayerful listening to God, must have developed that attentiveness as a child in her home.  So she was able to grow into the “handmaid of the Lord”.because of the example of her parents.  So we honor all the St. Joan of Arc grandparents and the powerful examples of faith that they are for all of us. In so many instances grandparents are the transmitters of our faith and its traditions.  We are so grateful for them and the legacy they pass on to us. 

  Msgr. Michael D. McGraw