Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne at Mississippi Abbey

What can we learn from saints we know nothing about, and how we can honor them? Whatever their names really were, the truth is that it was the parents of Mary who nurtured her, taught her, and raised her up to be a worthy mother. It was the teachings of Joachim and Anne that led Mary to respond to God’s request with total faith, “Let it be done to me as you will.” It was their example of parenting that Mary would have followed as she brought up her own son, Jesus. It was their faith that laid the foundation of her courage and gave her the strength to stand by the cross as her son was crucified. Yes, the parents of Mary, the grandparents of Jesus, deserve the honor we give them today.  By their fruits we know them to be worthy of our respect and love, for in the kingdom of God they shine like the sun.