July 21 – Saint Anne: Help of Christians

What became of Anne and Joachim after they brought Mary to the Temple? At what age did they die? Did they ever meet Joseph, their daughter’s husband? The apocryphal writings of the early centuries tell us nothing about this. It is difficult to distinguish what belongs to legend and what belongs to history. Yet the simple fact that Anne and Joachim are the parents of Mary and the grandparents of Jesus is enough for the Church to have venerated them since ancient times, for peoples to proclaim their praise and for the faithful to grow devoted to them.

This was Jesus’ response to a woman who, raising her voice in the crowd, said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” But he replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11.27-28).

According to Tradition, Joachim died long before his wife. We do not know how old Anne was when she died or whether she knew her grandson Jesus. What we do know is that she was honoured very early in Jerusalem. July 26 likely marks the anniversary of the dedication of a basilica in her honour in Constantinople in the sixth century. Devotion to her quickly spread far and wide. Her relics were said to have been miraculously discovered in the cathedral of Apt in Provence during the reign of Charlemagne. Devotion to Saint Anne has steadily grown, especially in France and in Canada. Many faithful testify to prayers answered after calling upon Good Saint Anne or venerating her relics..

Praying before a relic or an image of Saint Anne expresses a desire of the heart. We may ask her for a particular favour, knowing that it is not the relic, the statue or the medal that heals, but God who listens to the prayer of the believer. This is neither magic nor superstition. There is no special power in a medal, a statue or blessed oil. The person who prays seeks the protection of a saint – here, Saint Anne – while entrusting everything to God, who knows what is truly good for us.

Every prayer carries its own grace and God always gives, at the right time, the grace we need. He answers our prayers in his own way and in his own time, according to what serves our salvation. Let us trust in him and respect the mystery that surpasses us: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord” (Isaiah 55.8).

Saint Anne, I pray to you simply and with the help of the Spirit. Guide my steps on the path that leads to the Father, as you did for Mary. Hold my hand as I walk with Jesus, so that I may reach out to those I meet who are so in need of love.