From the Religious Education Coordinator: St Joachim and St Anne – World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

In our Church … …

Feast Day of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne

On 26 July, The Church celebrated the lives of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, Jesus’ grandparents – Mary’s parents. In the Scriptures, Matthew and Luke furnish a legal family history of Jesus, tracing ancestry to show that Jesus is the culmination of great promises. Not only is his mother’s family neglected, we also know nothing factual about them except that they existed. Even the names “Joachim” and “Anne” come from a legendary source written more than a century after Jesus died.

The strong character of Mary in making decisions, her continuous practice of prayer, her devotion to the laws of her faith, her steadiness at moments of crisis, and her devotion to her relatives, all indicate a close-knit, loving family that looked forward to the next generation even while retaining the best of the past.

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

In 2021 Pope Francis instituted a Church-wide celebration of a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. He was moved to establish it not just because of the importance of grandparents and the elderly, a theme on which he has often spoken, but particularly because of the neglect and isolation so many grandparents and seniors experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel restrictions, nursing-home policies and fear for their safety, prevented their being visited and embraced by their loved ones.

Pope Francis hopes that, on this day, grandchildren will visit their grandparents, perhaps even sharing with them a copy of his letter, and that parish families will have special Masses thanking God for the gift of grandparents, praying for them, and entrusting to him those who have died, particularly during the pandemic. 

In 2025, World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly was celebrated on Sunday, July 27, close to the Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim. The theme is “Blessed are those who have not lost hope.”  (Sirach 14:2).

 A Prayer to Saint Anne and Saint Joachim

Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, 

grandparents of Jesus, 

we turn to you with hearts full of love and respect. 

You who nurtured Mary in her childhood and guided her towards holiness,

 we ask for your intercession on behalf of all the elderly, especially those in our families and communities. We pray for their well-being, that they may find comfort in their later years, 

and that their wisdom and experience may be valued by all. 

May they be surrounded by love, respect, and the support of their families, friends and community. 

We also pray that we may be inspired by your example of faithfulness, 

and that we may learn to cherish and care for our elders,

with the same love and devotion that you showed to Mary. 

May their lives be a testament to the love of God and a beacon of hope for all. 

Amen

Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for us.

Mrs Caroline Morizzi, Religious Education Coordinator