By tradition, Joachim and Anne are considered to be the names of the parents of Mary, the Mother of God. We have no historical evidence, however, of any elements of their lives, including their names. Any stories about Mary's parents come to us through tradition. The oldest story comes from the apocryphal Gospel, the Protoevangelium Jacobi, though in no way should this document to be factual, historical or the Word of God. But when talking about a person's life, we can never dismiss the reality of his or her family. And in the case of Mary, we can never speak of her conception without mentioning her parents specially St. Anne.

Churches in honor off St. Anne began to be erected in the 6th century. One of the reasons for the popularity of the cult of St. Anne is its close connection with the cult of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Another reason is the fact that the family, especially in former days, could not be though of without the grandparents. If Mary is the other of Jesus, her parents are His grandparents and therefore belong, in a certain sense, to the "Holy Family."

Finally, St. Anne together with St. Joachim are honoured because they were the ones who nurtured Mary, taught her, brought her up to be a worthy Mother of God. It was their teaching that led her to respond to God's request with faith, "Let it be done to me as you will." It was their faith that laid the foundation of courage and strength that allowed her to stand by the cross as her Son was crucified and still believe.

Feast: July 26

Poblacion, Hagonoy

793-2829

St. Anthony of Padua Parish

Iba, Hagonoy

675-1336

St. Joseph Parish

San Jose, Calumpit

(044)202-5085

St. John the Baptist Parish

San Juan, Hagonoy

667-0941

Sta. Elena Parish

Sta. Elena, Hagonoy

793-1703

Sto. Rosario Parish

Sto. Rosario, Hagonoy

793-2216

Ina ng Laging Saklolo Quasi-Parish

Sunga, San Pedro, Hagonoy

793-5259