July 26 2024 - Sts. Joachim and Anne - Grace and responsibility of parenthood

 

At one time, July 26 was the feast of St. Anne only, and devotion to St. Anne goes back to the early centuries of the Church; in the year 550 the basilica in her honor was dedicated in Constantinople.  It is only recently, with the promulgation of the new calendar that St. Joachim was joined to his wife on the liturgical calendar.

The opening prayer for today’s feast references the singular grace bestowed upon Saints Joachim and Anne—that “of them should be born the Mother” of the incarnate Son.

Parenthood in general is a grace. It is a privilege to cooperate with the Creator in bringing new life into the world. Pope St. Paul VI in the opening lines of his encyclical on human life, Humanae Vitae, writes “The transmission of human life is a most serious role in which married people collaborate freely and responsibly with God the Creator. It has always been a source of great joy to them, even though it sometimes entails many difficulties and hardships.”

Parenthood is a grace and a responsibility that God gives to many couples. And through responsible parenthood, raising children in a loving and nurturing environment for the growth, development and sanctity of their children, parents work out their own salvation and grow in sanctity as they are faithful to the demands of parenthood. This was a grace and responsibility given to Joachim and Anne who for decades of married life experienced barrenness.

But Joachim and Anne were given the special grace and responsibility of raising the Blessed Virgin, the one conceived without sin—the immaculate conception. They would be part of God’s plan in preserving her from sin—they would protect her in a godly way from the snares of the enemy like no other parents in history. They had a role in forming the mind and heart and faith of the one who would offer the greatest “fiat” to God in history. 

And yet, we see that every parent and grandparent and spiritual parent has an analogous role—to help form the minds and hearts and faith of children to know God, trust God, obey God, and serve God. Parents do not just cooperate in the creator’s work of bringing forth biological life, they must choose to cooperate in God’s work of bringing forth spiritual and divine life in their children’s souls, by doing everything they can to help their children know, love, and serve God in this life, so they may be happy with Him in the next.

Through the intercession of St. Joachim, Anne, and the Blessed Virgin, may God bless all parents in their sacred duties for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that she may continue to honor the role of parents and grandparents in nurturing the faith of future generations, and that our parish community, we may support and encourage parents in their sacred duty of raising children in the faith. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all parents, that they may embrace their vocation with joy and responsibility, cooperating with God in bringing new life into the world, and for all grandparents, that they may be blessed in their efforts to pass on the faith to their grandchildren and support their adult children in parenting. Let us pray to the Lord.

For couples struggling with infertility, that they may find strength and hope in the example of Saints Joachim and Anne. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of human trafficking, natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for the unborn, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Hear Our Prayers, O Lord, and through the intercession of Sts Joachim and Anne, free us from all that keeps us from the love of Christ. Through the same Christ Our Lord.