MEMORIAL SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANNE, PARENTS OF BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, SATURDAY OF THE SIXTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, JULY 26, 2025
- Olivia M. Bannan
- Jul 26
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 27
Gospel
Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
REFLECTION
“The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field."
St Joachim and St Anne were models of parenthood and guardians of the Immaculate Virgin. They became an indispensable role in God’s salvation plan through their piety, patience, obedience, faith and trust. They played a role to the fulfillment of God's promise of salvation.
How does one know this? The Three Pillars of the Church … Sacred Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium.
St Joachim was born in Nazareth. His lineage was both of David and Levi. St Anne was born in Bethlehem. She was raised with a deep reverence for God. Both Joachim and Anne were models of faithfulness and obedience. Their upbringing was deeply rooted in the Jewish faith, centering in Scriptures, rituals and community Jewish life.
St Anne was childless and prayed fervently to God for a child. St Joachim spent many days in silent retreat praying for a child. In humility they both persevered in prayer At last they were filled with happiness and joy upon hearing of her pregnancy.
Sources....
"The Life of the Virgin Mary" by Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich,
"Mariology: A Guide for Priests, Deacons, Seminarians and Lay People" by William G Most.
Vatican II Documents: "Lumen Gentium", Chapter 8 highlights St Joachim and St Anne as essential figures in God's plan.
Byzantine icon depicting the intimate relationship between the saints and their daughter.
St Joachim and St Anne Biography, by Father John Trevor.
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