The Church celebrates July 26: Joaquim and Anna – Blessed couple, all creation owes you: through you was born the Queen of the Universe, The Virgin Mary, Mother of God.
Gaudium Press (July 26, 2025) Little is known with certainty about St. Joaquim and St. Anna, the parents of Our Lady. Most of what is known comes from tradition and apocryphal writings, notably the Protoevangelium of James from the 2nd century AD.
Royal and Priestly Lineage
Joaquim means “preparation of the Lord.” Like Jesus, he was born in Bethlehem, lived in Nazareth, and descended from King David. Upright and just, Joaquim sought counsel from two exemplary priests: Eleazar in Bethlehem and the young Simeon in Jerusalem. They guided him to marry Anna (“grace”), a virgin of the tribe of Levi and also descended from King David. Thus Mary would unite royal dignity with priestly sanctity.
When they married in Nazareth—him 25 and her nearly 20—they lived in holiness and purity. Blessed with many material gifts, their marriage nonetheless suffered a grave trial.
The Trial of Childlessness
For twenty years their union remained barren, interpreted as a divine curse in that era. Joaquim was publicly rebuked at the Temple by a priest named Reuben, who refused his offering because he had no offspring. Feeling humiliated, Joaquim withdrew into the mountains with Anna to pray and fast, requesting Simeon to intercede. Yet silence from heaven prevailed.
Still, in their barrenness, God was preparing the way for divine intervention.
Gabriel and the Golden Gate
A year later, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Anna, foretelling a daughter: “The daughter born to you will be the dawn of salvation and the gate through which the promised Messiah enters. She will be the ark of your victory and attract God to this earth.” That same night, Gabriel appeared to Joaquim in a dream, confirming the message. Together they traveled to Jerusalem, entered through the Golden Gate, and vowed to consecrate their daughter to God once she grew older. Simeon met them there to bless their dedication.
“The daughter born to you will be the dawn of salvation and the gate through which the promised Messiah enters. She will be the ark of your victory and attract God to this earth.”
The Birth of Mary
On September 8, nine months later, the Virgin Mary was born in Nazareth—a miraculous and ineffable event. Immaculately conceived and born without pain, her arrival was prophesied to light the world. According to Mons. João, Mary was born at midday—symbolic of her destiny to bring the “Sun of Justice” (cf. Mal 3:20).
At age one, Mary was presented to the priests of Israel, and at three, her parents fulfilled their promise by bringing her to the Temple where Simeon received her as a consecrated soul, saying:
“My daughter, I entrust you to this son of Levi to serve the Lord all the days of your life. Be a spotless offering to the God of our people, and may He visit us with the coming of the expected Messiah.”
Final Years Together
Joaquim and Anna frequently visited Mary in the Temple. Nearing death, Joaquim was guided by Mary, who comforted him, showing signs of his impending resurrection and ruling destiny. After his peaceful passing, Anna likewise fell ill. Mary cared for her until her final moments. In a mystical encounter, she blessed Mary and the infant Jesus before peacefully departing this life.
Their Eternal Mission
Soon after St. Anna’s death, Mary’s marriage to St. Joseph and the Incarnation took place. Though they did not live to see Jesus’ earthly ministry, Joaquim and Anna’s mission—to birth and protect Mary—was gloriously fulfilled. Their intercessory role in heaven continues for the Church. In Matthew 7:16‑20, it is said that the tree is known by its fruit. What then of the tree from which Mary—the Mother of God—was born? We find refuge under their shade, trusting that through them, our prayers to Mary will be heard.
(Adapted from Arautos do Evangelho No. 283, July 2025)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
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