Saint Anne - our Patron Saint

By tradition Joachim and Anne are considered to be the names of the parents of Mary, the Mother of God. We have no historical evidence, however, of any elements of their lives, including their names. Any stories about Mary's father and mother come to us through legend and tradition.

We get the oldest story from a document called the Gospel of James, though in no way should this document be trusted to be factual, historical, or the Word of God.
The legend told in this document says that after years of childlessness, an angel appeared to tell Anne and Joachim that they would have a child.
Anne promised to dedicate this child to God (much the way that Samuel was dedicated by his mother Hannah -- Anne -- in 1 Kings).
For those who wonder what we can learn from people we know nothing about and how we can honor them, we must focus on why they are honored by the church.
Whatever their names or the facts of their lives, the truth is that it was the parents of Mary who nurtured Mary, taught her, brought her up to be a worthy Mother of God.
It was their teaching that led her to respond to God's request with faith, "Let it be done to me as you will."
It was their example of parenting that Mary must have followed as she brought up her own son, Jesus. It was their faith that laid the foundation of courage and strength that allowed her to stand by the cross as her son was crucified and still believe.

Such parents can be examples and models for all parents.

Anne (or Ann) is the patron saint of Christian mothers and of women in labor.

Prayer:

PRAYER TO SAINT ANN

O glorious Saint Ann,
you are filled with compassion
for those who invoke you,
and with love for those suffer.
Heavily burdened with the weight of my troubles,
I cast myself at your feet
  and humbly beg of you to take the present intention,
which I recommend to you in your special care.

Please recommend it to your daughter,
the Blessed Virgin Mary,
and place it before the throne of Jesus,
so that he may bring it to a happy issue.

Continue to intercede for me
until my request is granted.
But above all obtain for me the grace one day 

to see my God face to face, 

and with you and Mary and all the saints
to praise and bless him for all eternity.  Amen.

THANK YOU TO ST. ANNE'S PARISH CHURCH

Thank you to Fr. Tony Grace and the Parish of St.Anne's for contributing to our new statue of St. Anne in our entrance; a lovely, addition to our St. Anne's environment.