St. Joachim

Who they were

Joachim is known entirely from early tradition, principally the second century Protoevangelium of James, which is an extra biblical source and should be named as one. There he appears as the husband of Anne and the father of Mary: a devout, prosperous man of Israel whose childlessness into old age was, in his world, a public shame. The tradition has his offering rejected at the Temple on account of it, and Joachim withdrawing to the wilderness to fast and pray while Anne prayed at home. Two griefs, one prayer.

The answer to that long double prayer was Mary. Whatever the historical details beneath the tradition, the theological fact the Church celebrates is firm and tender. Jesus had grandparents, grace built on a family, and the girl of the Annunciation was somebody's long awaited, carefully raised daughter. The Church keeps Joachim and Anne together on 26 July, and since 2021 the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is kept near their feast.

Why people turn to St. Joachim

Grandfathers, living and dead. And couples in the long wait for a child, who find in Joachim and Anne the patron couple of the answered late prayer.

How to ask their intercession

For a grandfather by name. And for the waiting couples, the pattern of Joachim and Anne is itself the counsel: keep praying it separately, together.