Jul 23 2009
Feast of St. Joachim and St. Ann –July 26
Mary is the Mother of God, but her own parents, Joachim and Ann
trusted in God’s plan for them. Their love for their daughter, Mary and their Grandson, Jesus
can be our help in time of need.
Let us use their example of faithful marriage to help us preserve marriage in our own society.
Tradition tells us that the aged parents of the Virgin Mary were named Joachim and Ann. These righteous people had prayed earnestly for a child–and God was pleased to answer their prayer.
So pleased was God, that the conception of Mary in St. Ann’s womb, by the conventional physical means, is celebrated by Holy Mother Church these 20 centuries later. We know this event as “The Immaculate Conception” celebrated on December 8th. Nine months later we celebrate the birthday of Our Lady on September 8.
What can we learn from the traditions taught in the life story of this Holy Couple, and what can we teach our children on this occasion?
- The model of marriage with it’s commitment, it’s longevity, it’s place in God’s plan.
- Trust in God’s Providence. Joachim and Ann trusted that their prayer would be heard by God and would be answered in His time.
- Sex is not bad, but rather a joyful celebration of Marriage. Mary was conceived through intercourse, but was spared of Original sin, and that is why she is called Immaculate. This occasion of Mary coming into being is called the Immaculate Conception.
- God the Son is truly part of our human family. He has a mother, and He has grandparents. We can look to St. Ann in her role as Patron Saint of Grandmothers, and to St. Joachim as a model for Grandfathers. It is not known with certainty if Joachim and Ann knew of their Grandson’s divinity, but they must have known of their daughter’s sanctity. From their place in heaven, Joachim and Ann must lavish their grand-parental love on their Grandson, Jesus.
A Simple Project to do with kids:(can be drawn, cut out, or even played out with dolls and figurines)
Make a family tree for Jesus — it will just be 3 or so generations….
- Draw a man and woman next to each other - a simple drawing will do. Join them, with some symbol of God above them, perhaps they can be holding hands also.
- Place a speech or thought bubble above thier heads. Write the prayer for a child in this. Be sure that the prayer is coming from both of them.
- On the line below this couple draw Mary. Use traditional symbolism like halo, rays, the color blue, anything that the child will recognize as belonging to Mary.
- Below or beside Mary, place the small child or baby Jesus.
- Surround the whole group with a large heart, symbolizing the love evident in all relationships pictured.
- “Float” important words around within the heart: trust, confidence, thanks, joy, family son, grandchild, grandparents.
The finished drawing may not be a piece of artwork to frame, but the process of making it, step-by-step will solidify the story and the principles in the child’s mind.
Peace by with you,
Ann
