Anne, believed to be the mother of the Virgin Mary, and therefore the grandmother of Christ, is not mentioned at all in the Bible. Secondary literature, while unable to be completely verified, provides much information about her. The story of her life and attributes that she possessed became popular even in the early Church and were widespread by the Middle Ages. Despite Martin Luther's attacks against those who prayed to her, prayer remained widespread up to the current age.
The Early Source of Information About Anne's Life
The apocryphal- meaning Biblical books of uncertain authorship or validity- Book of James is also known as Protoevangelium Jacobi. It is the main source of information about Anne's life. The information in the book was, in fact, rejected by Church fathers until the thirteenth century when an author named Jacobus de Voragine incorporated parts of it into his book Golden Legend. The story was then more widely read and accepted by both leaders in the Church as well as laypeople.
Anne's Life
As with all of the information about Anne's life, it is mostly legend, though much can be guessed from what we know about Jewish women and their lives at the time. According to legend, Anne was married to Joachim of Nazareth. They were childless, which was a great source of embarrassment and agony to the typical family of the time. Anne and Joachim both suffered from not having a child. Joachim went for a 40 day and night retreat to a shepherd's hut for deep prayer to God. Anne herself went to a garden- what or the location of the garden is unknown- and also spent time praying for a child.
While in prayer, an angel came to her and announced that she would have a child and must consecrate it to the Lord. An angel also appeared to Joachim and he rushed to Jerusalem to Anne. Supposedly they met and embraced at the Golden Gate in Jerusalem. This image is one of two that are most often used by artists in portrayal of Saint Anne. Nine months later, the child Mary was born to the couple. They consecrated her to God as they had promised.
How the Story of Anne Led to the Concept of the Immaculate Conception
It is believed in the Church that Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin. This is often confused by people who believe that Mary was sinless her entire life, an attribute that can only rightfully be given to Christ. The reason Mary is believed to have been conceived without sin is in part because she was conceived by immaculate conception by her parents, Anne and Joachim. The main source of this belief is the idea that Mary was conceived as Anne and Joachim embraced at the Golden Gate. However the source or Mary's conception, Anne was pictured as a loving, tender, and godly mother who kept her promise to have Mary consecrated to God.
Death and Sainthood of Saint Anne
As with the the other details of her life, her date and location of death are not known. In the eighth century, Pope Constantine declared July 26th as her feast day. Prayer to Anne spread throughout Europe and she was canonized in 1584 by Pope Gregory XIII. Prayer to Anne was particularly widespread throughout the Orient. Anne's patronage spreads far and wide among vocations, people, and locations. She is the patron saint of many vocations, among them broommakers, cabinetmakers, carpenters, lace makers, miners, seamstresses, stablemen, and old-clothes dealers. She is also the patron saint of those who are childless, mothers, grandparents, pregnant women, and women in labor. Among the locations which claim her as patron saint are Brittany, Canada, Quebec, Santa Ana Indian pueblo, Taos, and New Mexico.
While Mostly Legend, A Source of Inspiration and Comfort
While the details of Anne's life are not certain, the attributes she (supposedly) possessed are praised and emulated by many people. In times of trouble, she is still prayed to as a source of inspiration and comfort. While she is the patron saint of many locations and causes, her patronage of mothers and grandparents are the most popular. This seems completely appropriate when one studies the story of Anne.
Sources:
Grace, Father Peter. (2004). The Life of Saint Ann. St. Ann's Media. Scranton, PA. Link to article.
Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. (2001). The Encyclopedia of Saints. Visionary Living, Inc. Checkmark Books, New York, NY
Holweck, Frederick G. (2007). Anne, Saint. The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1914. Catholic Answers (2007), San Diego, CA. Link to article.
Paul, Tessa. (2009). The Illustrated World Encyclopedia of Saints. Lorenz Books, Anness Publishing Ltd. London, UK.
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