July 19 – Saint Anne: Teacher

Cardinal Prevost – later Pope Leo XIV – celebrated the Eucharist on July 26, 2024, at the Church of Saint Anne in the Vatican. In his homily, he said: “God willed that the one who would give birth to the Saviour be born into a family of faith, and that Mary, called by the Lord to be the Mother of the Saviour, would come to know God’s love also through the teaching of her parents.”

Mary was born into a believing family and grew up in the love of God, thanks to the example of Anne and Joachim. Faithful to their promise, they did everything they could to help their daughter grow freely in the service of the Lord – even at the cost of the sorrow of separation.

According to Tradition, Mary was entrusted by her parents to the Temple in Jerusalem at the age of three, so that she might belong entirely to God. The presentation of Mary in the Temple expresses the gift of her life to God; she becomes the dwelling place of his glory, the quiet presence where he abides. “Let all flesh keep silence before the Lord; for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling” (Zechariah 2.13).

Anne and Joachim offer a beautiful example of letting go in the face of their daughter’s unique vocation. Parents often have plans for their children – but are these truly what their children desire? What matters is not that they fulfill our expectations, but that they discover deep within themselves their own mission in the world. This requires listening and patience.

We help our children grow in freedom by trusting them, by being present when they need us and above all by praying for them. How powerful is the prayer of parents for their children!

Prayer
Lord, you created us in your image and you allow us the freedom to choose what we believe is best for us. Through the intercession of Saint Anne, may our children flourish in what they do and give you glory for who they are.