The Diocese of Allentown celebrated the feast day of Sts. Anne and Joachim, Jesus' grandparents, on July 26 by calling on them to intercede for all parents.

“St. Joachim and St. Anne, parents of Mary, pray for all parents that they may provide the loving home and faithful teaching that you provided your daughter,” the diocese posted on Facebook. 

Sts. Anne and Joachim, as Jesus' grandparents, are celebrated as the patron saints of grandparents . Anne is also the patron saint of women in labor.

Britannica says St. Anne's life parallels that of Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel. Hannah’s is described in the Old Testament. St. Anne had trouble conceiving a child, so she prayed, making a promise that if she could have a child, she would teach the child to love and serve the Lord. Afterward, an angel visited Anne and Joachim to let them know they would give birth to Mary. 

The Bible doesn’t say much about Mary’s parents, so non-scriptural writings and legends are the source of what scholars know, according to Catholic.org. Evidence points to the notion that Mary had good and faithful parents who raised her to love and serve God, much in keeping with St. Anne’s promise. 

Commemorating the role of Sts. Anne and Joachim reminds Catholics of the important role grandparents play in the family unit, according to the National Shrine. 

“Sts. Joachim and Anne were part of a long chain of people who had transmitted their faith and love for God, expressed in the warmth and love of family life, down to Mary, who received the Son of God in her womb and who gave him to the world, to us,” Pope Francis said in the National Shrine article. “How precious is the family as the privileged place for transmitting the faith!”