St. Anne: Mother of Mary, Grandmother of Jesus, Feast Day and Prayer
Quick answer
St. Anne is honored by tradition as the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the grandmother of Jesus. The Bible does not name her. Her story comes from an early Christian text, the Protoevangelium of James. She is celebrated with her husband, St. Joachim, on July 26, and she is a patron of mothers and grandparents.
Key takeaways
- St. Anne and St. Joachim are not named in the Bible.
- Their names come from the Protoevangelium of James, written in the second century.
- Their memorial is July 26.
- The Immaculate Conception refers to Mary's conception in Anne's womb, not that of Jesus.
Somewhere, a mother and father raised a little girl and taught her to pray. That little girl became the Mother of God. Christians have honored her parents for many centuries.
What We Know
The Bible does not mention Mary’s parents by name. The names Anne and Joachim come from the Protoevangelium of James, an early Christian text written around the middle of the second century. It is not part of Scripture, and the Church does not treat it as history. Nevertheless, it preserves a devotion that spread widely.
According to this text, Anne and Joachim were elderly and childless, and they suffered greatly because of it. They prayed, and an angel told them they would have a child. In thanksgiving, they dedicated their daughter to God. The story echoes that of Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, whose name is the same as Anne’s (1 Samuel 1).
Anne and the Immaculate Conception
Many people believe that the Immaculate Conception refers to Jesus being conceived by Mary. It actually refers to Mary herself, who was preserved from original sin from the first moment of her conception in the womb of her mother (CCC 490-492).
Devotion to St. Anne
Devotion to her grew first in the East and later in the West. Some of the best-known shrines are Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré in Quebec and Sainte-Anne-d’Auray in Brittany. Pilgrims have prayed at them for centuries.
In 2021, Pope Francis established the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, held near her feast on the fourth Sunday of July.
A Model for Families
Anne reminds us how much hidden, faithful family life matters. Grandparents who pray for their families, and parents who teach their children about God, take part in a very great work.
A Prayer for Grandparents (Original Prayer)
St. Anne and St. Joachim, you raised the Mother of our Lord. Bless all grandparents and parents. Help us to hand on the faith with love and to trust God’s timing. Comfort those who long for a child. Amen.
Continue Reading
Read what the Church believes about Mary and pray the Jesus, Mary and Joseph prayer.
Frequently asked questions
When is the feast of St. Anne?
July 26, together with her husband, St. Joachim.
What is St. Anne the patron saint of?
She is a patron of mothers, grandmothers and those who long for a child, and of Brittany and Quebec.
Is the story of St. Anne true?
The Protoevangelium of James is not Scripture, and its details cannot be confirmed. The Church's long veneration of Mary's parents does not depend on those details.
Sources
- Protoevangelium of James
- Roman Missal, Memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, July 26
- Catechism of the Catholic Church 490-492, 2214-2220
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