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.

July 26 2022 - Sts Joachim and Anne - "They shall bear fruit even in old age"

To coincide this year with the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, Holy Father Pope Francis issued a message about grandparents.

And he began the message reflecting on a short, but poignant line from Psalm 92. The Psalm, speaking of the just ones, the righteous ones who walk in the ways of the Lord, who are planted in the house of the Lord, says “ They shall bear fruit even in old age, they will stay fresh and green”

The Holy Father says, “these words of the Psalmist are glad tidings, a true “gospel”…They run counter to what the world thinks about this stage of life, but also to the attitude of grim resignation shown by some of us elderly people, who harbor few expectations for the future.”

I encourage you to read the rest of the Holy Father’s message—I’ve printed out a few copies and also linked the message on my personal Facebook page.

It is good news—glad tidings—that God promises that even in old age his people will bear fruit. Old age might mean slowing down physically, however, spiritually in can be a time of tremendous spiritual fruitfulness for the Church—potentially greater fruitfulness than in youth—when we are focused on our own agendas and pursuits. 

The grandparents of Jesus, Joachim and Anne, no doubt had a tremendous love for the Lord, and that love for Jesus was a blessing for the entire Holy Family. So too, the faith of grandparents is a tremendous source of faith for the whole family. 

I’ve shared before how for many years on Sunday, when my parents worked late the night before, my grandparents would drive miles out of their way to pick me up for Sunday Mass. I doubt I would have discovered my priestly vocation without my grandparents. They taught me to pray before meals, the importance of Sunday mass, participating and singing at mass, supporting our home parish—not to mention so many other important virtues like patriotism, hard work, prudent stewardship, and tenderness.  

So much fruitfulness in my own life can be traced back to my grandparents’ godliness—their Catholic faith. 

Grandparents, if you see the faith is not being practiced in your families, don’t be afraid to remind your families of the importance of faith and prayer. If you sense that your children are becoming too materialistic, tell them.  If they are not bringing their own children to Sunday Mass, gently correct them. And if they still don’t relent, offer to bring them to mass with the promise of pancakes afterwards. When the grandkids come over for a visit, pray a rosary with them, make sure that prayers are said before meals, explain to them the meanings of the holy pictures and statues in your homes, teach the traditions, help them, like Joachim and Anne to instill faith.

On this feast of the grandparents, we’re reminded of grandparent’s special role and responsibility in forming the generations to come.  Through the prayers of Saints Joachim and Anne may we all consider and respond well to the vocation each of us has in spreading the Faith for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 

In gratitude for the example of faith and the role of grandparents in the Church. And for the good health of the elderly and their continued spiritual fruitfulness. 

That our young people on summer vacation may be protected from all physical and spiritual harm, shielded from the errors and perversions of the world, and kept in closeness to God through prayer and virtue.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, for all those recovering from or undergoing surgery today, and for the consolation of the dying.

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

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord

 

September 8, 2021 - The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Humble Beginnings

 Exactly, nine months ago today we celebrated Mary’s Immaculate conception in the womb of her mother. 

The day the Queen of Heaven was born ranks as one of the most beautiful in human history. Yet, nothing explicitly is recorded or known about Mary’s birth. The names of her parents aren’t even recorded in Scripture. The names of St. Anne and Joachim are found rather in the 2nd century text called the Protoevangelium Jacobi. 

And although the blood of David flowed in her veins, although she was the virgin who would give birth to the savior about whom Isaiah prophesied, the protoevangelium Jacobi records how her birth went virtually unnoticed by the citizens of Nazareth.

Her birth was subtle and humble, much like the morning dawn. But like the dawn, her birth was the beginning of something new: God’s plan of salvation was beginning a new and final chapter. Her birth is the prelude to the birth of the Salvation Himself. 

The Immaculate Mother came into the world at a time when many of God’s people had lost hope in a Messiah, just as many have lost sight of Christ in our modern day. God had been quiet for so long. The evils of the world, the oppression of the Jewish people, the darkness of Israel’s sin seemed to eclipse God’s promises of salvation. And so in the darkness of Israel’s history, without fanfare or recognition, Our Lady was born.

Humility marked her birth and humility would mark her life, and this scripture does record: not her birth, not her parents, not her upbringing, not her favorite food or favorite color, but her humility. At the annunciation: humility. At the visitation humility. At the birth of her son: humility. At the wedding at Cana: humility. Hidden throughout the ministry of her Son: humility. At the foot of the Cross, fully submitting to this holy sacrifice: humility. 

Our Lady’s birth reminds us that the whole of our life is to be humbly placed in the service of the divine mystery, in complete submission to the divine will, and this is the way to heaven. She shows us the surest way, and is a model for all Christians, that from the moment we are born we like her are to seek to be open, listening, ready, faithful, surrendered to the Divine Will. In her humility she gives us the greatest example of faithful discipleship of Jesus, the greatest example of humanity. This is what humanity was meant to be from the beginning. 

Saint Thomas of Villanova explained in sermon that Mary is the heavenly dawn, not only for the world, but especially for each individual soul.  May her humility dawn and rise in us, that faith, hope, and charity, which were perfect in her, may be perfected in us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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To Our Lady’s most powerful intercession, we recommend ourselves and the entire Church.

That Our Lady may bring constant guidance and assistance to the Holy Father and the Bishops in their apostolic mission, and aid all who help them in their work. 

That all government leaders may be awakened to the supreme dignity of each human life, and that all people of our nation may work together for an end to the culture of death. 

That through Immaculate Mary, Queen of Peace, hatred, violence, and cruelty will cease in the world.  

That the sick may draw strength, consolation, and healing by turning to Our Lady, who intercedes for us from her place in heaven. 

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

We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, who merited to bear God and man in her chaste womb, may commend the prayers of your faithful in your sight.

July 26 2019 - Sts. Joachim & Anne - Feast of the Grandparents

A few years ago, on the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, Pope Francis said, “How important grandparents are for family life, for passing on the human and religious heritage which is so essential for each and every society!” Elsewhere he said, “Grandparents are the living memory of family. They pass on the faith, they transmit the faith, to us.”

I was blessed to grow up very close to my maternal grandparents. Maybe more than any of my cousins, I got to hear the stories of our family, and really come to discover what my grandparents valued most in life: faith, family, hard work, wine & food.

Some children are blessed to grow up near their grandparents, while others because of distance only get to spend time with their grandparents a few times a year.  Given the culture of the Holy Land, it’s likely that Jesus spent considerable time with His grandparents, even if they didn’t live in the same town.  They undoubtedly were a source of great human affection and examples of Jewish piety and devotion

For many years on Sunday, when my parents worked late the night before, my grandparents would drive miles out of their way to pick me up for Sunday Mass. I may have mentioned before, that I don’t know if I would have discovered my priestly vocation, without my grandparents.

The role of grandparents today is paramount in an age where there is a growing laxity in the practice of the faith: great effort is made for vacation, sports & leisure, but little effort is expended to pursue holiness. Grandparents can help to ensure that the Tradition and Faith is passed on to the younger generations, and help to guide their own children in responsible Christian parenting.

Grandparents, when you know there is something lacking in your children’s and grandchildren’s religious practice, don’t be afraid to remind your families of the importance of faith and prayer by your words and example.  When the grandkids come over, pray a rosary before the television goes on in the evening, make sure that prayers are said before family meals, teach the traditions, share the family stories, model the values, instill the faith.

In the Gospel, Our Lord explains the parable of the Sower to his disciples. Grandparents are in a very privileged position to plant and cultivate the most important seeds in a children’s lives, which is why Pope Francis speaks of the importance of grandparents for family life.

Through the prayers of Saints Joachim and Anne may we all come to a deeper knowledge of the role we have in spreading the Faith for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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In gratitude for the example of faith and the role of grandparents in the Church, we pray to the Lord.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, and a strengthening of all marriages.

That our young people on summer vacation may be protected from all physical and spiritual harm, shielded from the errors and perversions of the world, and kept in closeness to God through prayer and virtue.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, for all those recovering from or undergoing surgery today, and for the consolation of the dying.

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

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord

July 26 2018 - Saints Joachim and Anne - Role of Grandparents

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, a basilica in her honor was dedicated in Constantinople.  It is only recently, with the new calendar that the two feasts of the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary have been joined.

In addition to being honored as the parents of the Mother of Our Lord, Saints Joachim and Anne are the patron saints of grandparents.  It’s good today, then, to reflect on the role that grandparents play within the Church.  Some grandchildren are blessed to grow up near their grandparents, while others because of distance only get to spend time with their grandparents a few times a year.  Given the culture of the Holy Land, it’s likely that Jesus spent considerable time with His grandparents, even if they didn’t live in the same town.  They undoubtedly were a source of great human affection and examples of Jewish piety and devotion. Jesus showed honor and respect to Joachim and Anne, and today we do the same.

I think of my own grandparents, who for many years on Sunday, when my parents worked late the night before, would drive miles out of their way to pick me up for Sunday Mass. I may have mentioned before, that I don’t know if I would have discovered my priestly vocation, without my grandparents.  The role of grandparents today is paramount in an age where there is a growing laxity in the practice of the faith: great effort is made for vacation, sports & leisure, but little effort is expended to pursue holiness. Grandparents can help to ensure that the Tradition and Faith is passed on to the younger generations, and help to guide their own children in responsible Christian parenting.

Grandparents, when you know there is something lacking in your children’s and grandchildren’s religious practice, don’t be afraid to remind your families of the importance of faith and prayer by your words and example.  When the grandkids come over, pray a rosary before the television goes on in the evening, make sure that prayers are said before family meals, teach the traditions, instill the faith.

On these feast of the grandparents, we’re reminded of grandparent’s special role and responsibility in forming the generations to come.  Through the prayers of Saints Joachim and Anne may we all come to a deeper knowledge of the role we have in spreading the Faith for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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In gratitude for the example of faith and the role of grandparents in the Church, we pray to the Lord.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, and a strengthening of all marriages.

That our young people on summer vacation may be protected from all physical and spiritual harm, shielded from the errors and perversions of the world, and kept in closeness to God through prayer and virtue.

For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of July: That priests, who experience fatigue and loneliness in their pastoral work, may find help and comfort in their intimacy with the Lord and in their friendship with their brother priests.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, for all those recovering from or undergoing surgery today, and for the consolation of the dying.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord