Saint Anne

Isaac Kremer/ December 27, 2024/ / 0 comments

Saint Anne was the mother of the Virgin Mary. She is first mentioned in Christian literature in the fourth century AD. She is said to have been the wife of a rich man called Joachim and, for many years, bore no children. One year, when Anne and Joachim came to the temple for the festival of dedication, Joachim was upbraided by the priest for having fathered no children. Cut to the heart, and not able to face the scorn of his neighbours, Joachim went into the wilderness for forty days and gave himself up to prayer. Meanwhile Anne remained in Jerusalem. Each had a vision of angels promising them a daughter, who would be called Mary and who was to be dedicated to God from the moment of her birth. (Brockhampton, 1996)

Anne is often depicted in a red robe covered by a green cloak, green symbolizing rebirth and red standing for love. (Brockhampton, 1996)

Often shown giving instruction to a younger Virgin Mary. Sometimes also depicted with her husband Saint Joachim and their daughter the Virgin Mary. (Kremer, 2025)

Many miracles were attributed to St Anne in the Middle Ages, but her festival was not observed until the sixteenth century. Her feast day is 26 July 26.

A blessing in Latin is “Ave Felix Mater Genitricis Dei” or “Hail, happy mother of the mother of God”. Photo from St. Michael’s, Cranford, New Jersey, 2024.

The painting was placed on the current altar of Don Bosco. The canvas was made in 1914 by Guido Guidi, an academician of S. Luca, living in via Volturno: it was commissioned by a gentleman, whose name is unknown and who donated it to the temple of the Sacred Heart. Photo from Rome, Italy, 2025.

Photo from Detroit, Michigan, 2025.

Prayer to St. Anne

Glorious St. Anne, filled with compassion for those who invoke you and with love for those who suffer, heavily laden with the weight of my troubles, I cast myself at your feet and humbly beg of you to take the present affair which I recommend to you under your special protection. Vouchsafe to recommend it to your daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and lay it before the throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted. (Here ask for the favor you wish to obtain.) Above all, obtain for me the grace of one day beholding my God face to face, and with You and Mary and all the saints, praising and blessing Him through all eternity. Amen.

Good St. Anne, mother of who her is our life, our sweetness and our hope, pray to her for us and obtain our request. (Repeat three times).

Photo from Rome, Italy, 2025.