Letter of July 29, 2005

Grandparents of Jesus
Most Reverend Carl F. Mengeling, Bishop of Lansing
With some exceptions, most of us rarely think of the Grandparents of Jesus. The Church remedies this with a special annual memorial on July 26. We celebrate Saints Joachim and Ann, the parents ofMary and the grandparents of Jesus.

The inspired Gospels of the New Testament say nothing about the parents of Mary; not even their names nor about her birth and childhood. Our information comes from early tradition and early past-biblical writings.

The main source reflects the authentic tradition of the early church. It is the Protoevangelium (First Gospel) of James written around 170.

The Emperor Justinian (+565) erected a Basilica in honor of St. Ann in 550. In the same century another church was built in Jerusalem.

Our Divine Office and the Mass for July 26 provide a wonderful synthesis about Joachim and Ann, parents of Mary and grandparents of Jesus.

Prepare for this sacred celebration by reflecting on the Readings of the Mass. Here is the special Preface for the Mass. Preface: We praise you on this joyful
feast of Saints Joachim and Ann, adoring the loving plan by which in your mercy you effected the redemption of the human race. With singular
predilection you selected a chosen people so that they would be your people and from ancient times you established with them a covenant, prefiguring the new and perfect covenant to be offered to all the peoples of the earth. And when the fullness of time came, you gave to the couple we honor today a most
pure and holy daughter, the Virgin Mary, who by your grace would give birth to the Savior of fallen humanity.

The Office of Readings for July 26 features a homily of St. John Damascene (+754):

"By their fruits you will know them.

Ann was to be the mother of the Virgin Mary of God, and hence nature did not dare to anticipate the flowering of grace. Thus nature remained sterile, until
grace produced its fruit. For she who was to be born had to be a first-born daughter, since she would be the mother of the first-born of all creation, in whom all things are held together.

Joachim and Ann, how blessed a couple! All creation is indebted to you. For at your hands the Creator was offered a gift excelling all other gifts: a chaste mother, who alone was worthy of him.

And so rejoice, Ann, that you were sterile and have not borne children; break forth into shouts, you who have not given birth. Rejoice, Joachim, because from your daughter a child is born for us, a son is given us, whose name is Messenger of great counsel and universal salvation, mighty God. For this child is God.

Joachim and Ann, how blessed and spotless a couple! You will be known by the fruit you have borne, as the Lord says: By their fruits you will know them.
The conduct of your life pleased God and was worthy of your daughter. For by the chaste and holy life you led together, you have fashioned a jewel of virginity: she who remained a virgin before, during and after giving birth. She alone for all time would maintain her virginity in mind and soul as well as in body.

Joachim and Ann, how chaste a couple! While safeguarding the chastity prescribed by the law of nature, you achieved with God’s help something
which transcends nature in giving the world the Virgin Mother of God as your daughter. While leading a devout and holy life in your human nature, you gave
birth to a daughter nobler than the angels, whose queen she now is. Girl of utter beauty and delight, daughter of Adam and mother of God, blessed the
loins and blessed the womb from which you come! Blessed the arms that carried you, and blessed your parents’ lips, which you were allowed to cover with chaste kisses, ever maintaining your virginity. Rejoice in God, all the earth. Sing, exult and sing hymns. Raise your voice, raise it and be not afraid."