St. Joachim

Biography of St. Joachim

St. Joachim was the father of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, according to the Catholic tradition, although not mentioned in the Bible. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican Churches.

Very little is known of his life and his origins, with the information mainly coming from the apocryphal Gospel of James. According to the legend, Joachim was a wealthy and devout Jewish patriarch, who was childless and deeply grieved by his inability to have a child. He was apparently made to feel ashamed by his own community and was even barred from the Temple in Jerusalem because of his childlessness.

After fasting and praying for an end to his childlessness, an angel appeared to him and told him that his wife would conceive a child who would be blessed throughout the world. His wife, Anne, also received a similar message from an angel. This is how the couple conceived their daughter, Mary.

Joachim and Anne are also considered as patron saints of grandparents, grandparents’ rights, grandparents’ groups and grandparents’ organizations. They are invoked for a peaceful and happy family life, and to help in the formation of the young and the protection of family values.

Although there is no historical evidence to support the existence of Joachim and the stories associated with him, St. Joachim is venerated as a saint by many Christian denominations. The feast day of St. Joachim is celebrated on September 9th.

St. Joachim is also considered as the patron saint of fathers, grandfathers, fathers-in-law, fathers of families, and of immigrants, as he and his wife, Anne, were apparently from the Hebrew tribe of Judah and lived in Galilee.

Moreover, there is a strong devotion to St. Joachim in the Eastern Catholic churches and the Eastern Orthodox Church, where he is referred to as “”the grandfather of God”” and is honored as the ancestor of Jesus. Also, his intercession is sought for childless couples and families.

Even though, there is not much historical information about St. Joachim and his life, his role as the father of Mary and the grandfather of Jesus has earned him a place of honor among the saints, and his devotion continues to be strong among the faithful.

The Church honors St. Joachim, husband of St. Anne and father of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was of the tribe of Judah and of the House of David. He had been chosen by God to be the father of the Mother of the Savior of Mankind. St. John Damascene discourse on the birth of the Virgin Mary contains these words:

“O blessed couple, Joachim and Anne! To you is every creature indebted. For through you, every creature has offered to the Creator this gift, the noblest of gifts, namely, that chaste mother who alone was worthy of the Creator. Rejoice Joachim, for from thy daughter a Son is born to us; and His name is called the Angel of great counsel, that is, of the salvation of the whole world.

O blessed couple, Joachim and Anne! And indeed you are known to be pure by the fruit of your bodies, as Christ said in a certain place: By their fruits you shall Know them. You ordered your lives by rule, as was pleas ing to God and worthy of her who was sprung from you. For the chaste and holy exercise of your office, you brought forth the treasure of virginity”

Popular St. Joachim Rosary and St. Joachim Medal

 

Prayers to St. Joachim

Prayer to St. Joachim

Dear St. Joachim,
You were a just man and loved God with all your heart. Your devotion to the Lord was evident in your actions and your unwavering faith inspired those around you. Help me to follow your example and live a life filled with love and devotion to God.

As the father of Mary, the mother of Jesus, you were privileged to be a part of God’s plan for our salvation. Intercede for me now, that I may grow in my own relationship with the Lord and come to know his love more deeply.

St. Joachim, I ask for your help in my own struggles, that I may find comfort and strength in God’s presence. I pray that I may always strive to be a faithful servant of the Lord and follow in your footsteps, walking always in the light of his truth and love.

Amen.

Prayer for Protection and Guidance by St. Joachim

St. Joachim, faithful servant of God,
I turn to you today for your intercession and guidance. You were a man of great faith and trust in the Lord, and I ask for your help in strengthening my own faith and trust in God.

Protect me and my loved ones, St. Joachim, and guide us along the path that the Lord has laid out for us. Help us to always keep our focus on God, and to trust in his plan for our lives.

I ask for your help in overcoming any obstacles or challenges that may come our way, and for your intercession in securing God’s protection and guidance for us. St. Joachim, pray for us, that we may always remain strong in our faith and devotion to God, and that we may live our lives according to his will.

Amen.

St. Joachim: Patron Saint of Fatherhood

St. Joachim is recognized as the patron saint of fatherhood. This is due to his role as the earthly father of Mary, the mother of Jesus. In Catholic tradition, St. Joachim is depicted as a pious and devoted man who lived a righteous life, dedicated to God.

The veneration of St. Joachim as a patron saint of fatherhood can be traced back to early Christian times when the Holy Family was recognized as the ideal model for families. St. Joachim was seen as a symbol of the virtuous qualities that fathers should embody, such as love, devotion, and selflessness.

In addition to being recognized as a patron saint of fatherhood, St. Joachim is also considered a patron saint of grandfathers and workers. This is due to his depiction as a hardworking and industrious man who provided for his family through his labors.

St. Joachim is often invoked by fathers seeking guidance and inspiration in their roles as providers and protectors of their families. He is also remembered by grandfathers as a model of wisdom, experience, and love. In addition, workers may turn to St. Joachim for intercession and strength in their daily labor, as well as for protection against accidents on the job.

In conclusion, St. Joachim is revered as the patron saint of fatherhood, grandfathers, and workers. Through his devotion to God and his love for his family, he serves as a model of the qualities that are desirable in fathers, grandfathers, and workers.

Reflection on the feast day of St. Joachim

The feast day of St. Joachim is September 9th.

St. Joachim is the husband of St. Anne and the father of the Virgin Mary, according to Christian tradition. He is venerated as a saint by the Catholic and Orthodox churches. He is also known as the “”father of the Blessed Virgin”” and the “”grandfather of Jesus””. He is remembered for his devotion to God and his role as the father of the mother of Jesus.

On his feast day, we can reflect on the importance of fatherhood and the role of fathers in the family. St. Joachim is an example of a devoted and loving father who raised his daughter, the Virgin Mary, to be a woman of great faith and virtue. He taught her to love and serve God from an early age and to be obedient to His will. He was an example of a father who was deeply committed to his family and to his faith, and his devotion to God is an example for all fathers to follow.

St. Joachim also reminds us of the importance of patience and trust in God. According to tradition, he and his wife Anne were childless for many years, but they never lost faith in God’s plan for their lives. They knew that everything happens in God’s time, and they trusted that He would provide them with a child. This is a reminder for us to trust in God’s plan for our lives and to have patience when things don’t happen as we expect.

St. Joachim’s role as the father of the Mother of Jesus also reminds us of the importance of the family. He and his wife Anne were privileged to be the parents of the woman chosen by God to give birth to Jesus, God incarnate. This shows us that families play a significant role in God’s plan for salvation. The family is the basic unit of society and it is where children learn the values and principles that will guide them throughout their lives.

In conclusion, the feast day of St. Joachim is an opportunity for us to reflect on the importance of fatherhood, patience and trust in God, and the role of the family in God’s plan for salvation. Let us follow the example of St. Joachim and strive to be devoted and loving fathers, to trust in God’s plan for our lives and to nurture our families in faith and love.

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Also check out our handmade St. Joachim Medal and St. Joachim Rosary and St. Joachim Rosary Bracelet .