There’s something distinctive about how the Catholic church views Jesus. While protestant theology focuses solely on his divine nature, Catholicism also honors his human nature and relationships. It emphasizes the important roles that other people played in bringing Jesus to the world.
People close to Jesus, including his mother Mary, his foster father Joseph, and even his grandparents on Mary’s side, are recognized and celebrated in artworks, prayers and feast days. One of these people was Anne, the Virgin Mary’s mother and the grandmother to Jesus. Today, she is venerated as Saint Anne, the patron saint of grandmothers.
What You'll Learn Today
Who is Anne in the Bible?
Despite being the mother to the Virgin Mary, Anne is not mentioned in the official scripture and neither is her husband, Saint Joachim.
The only story we have of Mary’s parents comes from apocryphal texts: specifically, the First Gospel of James and the Gospel of the Nativity of Mary.
Interestingly, the story of how Anne conceived Mary is very similar to that of Hannah, a barren woman in the Old Testament who was blessed with a baby (the prophet Samuel) and dedicated him to the church. Even the names Anne and Hannah are similar.
Like Hannah, the apocryphal sources say that Anne was barren and she promised God she would dedicate her child to him. An angel appeared to her and Joachim and announced that they would get a baby.
In fulfilment of her promise, she leaves Mary at the temple of Jerusalem where she is brought up.
The Immaculate Conception (meaning, born without sin) of Mary in Anne’s womb became part of Catholic beliefs in 1854.
Good to know: The parallels between Anne’s and Hannah’s stories are not a coincidence. The author of the Gospel of James borrowed from the actual story of Hannah in the Old Testament to describe the conception and birth of Mary.
The veneration of Saint Anne in the Catholic Church
As early as the 4th century, Eastern churches had already begun to venerate Anne and churches were built in her honor.
The Roman Catholic Church did not begin to venerate her until the 13th century, and even then, it was only in France where there was a shrine dedicated to her.
Saint Anne became popular in the middle ages with Pope Gregory XIII announcing a feast day dedicated to her in 1584.
She appeared in numerous artworks, most of them depicting her in her motherly or grandmotherly role. She was often painted alongside Mary and the baby Jesus.
Today, Saint Anne’s feast is celebrated on July 26. There are also several famous pilgrimages in her honor including to the Shrine of St. Anne de Beaupré in Canada and Sainte-Anne d’Auray in France.
Who is Saint Anne the patron saint of?
Saint Anne is the patron saint of grandmothers, recognizing her role as the grandmother to Jesus. She is also the patron saint of mothers, women in labor, women hoping to get pregnant, and homemakers.
In addition, she is also honored as the patron saint of Canada and Britanny, a region in France. Together with her husband, Saint Joachim, they are recognized as the patron saints of grandparents.
Prayers to Saint Anne
Novenas are often made to St. Anne, asking her to intercede on matters to do with motherhood and family. You can pray to her for a safe pregnancy, for conception, or to bring peace and love to your family. It’s also common to pray to St. Anne for your children’s safety, health, and happiness.
Here is an example of a Prayer to St. Anne from the Minor Basilica of St. Anne.
Dear Saint Anne,I praise God and honour you for having been given the grace to be the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandmother of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many who have implored your help have felt the happy effects of your goodness and powerful intercession. Encouraged by this thought, I humbly implore you, O good Saint Anne, to hear my prayer and obtain for me my request.
(mention your petition)
O loving Saint Anne, whose heart is ever full of human sympathy for those in trouble, pain or anxiety, have pity on me and grant me your favour as you have done for others in so many wonderful cases for the greater glory of God. Help me to know, love and follow Jesus by being a concerned citizen and an active member of His church and to reach heaven, there, to praise God with you forever and ever. Amen.
