Sts. Joachim and Ann
In the Scriptures, Matthew and Luke furnish a legal family history of Jesus, tracing ancestry to show that Jesus is the culmination of great promises. Not only is his mothers family neglected, we also know nothing factual about them except that they existed. Even the names Joachim and Ann come from a legendary source written more than a century after Jesus died.
The heroism and holiness of these people, however, is inferred from the whole family atmosphere around Mary in the Scriptures. Whether we rely on the legends about Marys childhood or make guesses from the information in the Bible, we see in her a fulfillment of many generations of prayerful persons, herself steeped in the religious traditions of her people.
The strong character of Mary in making decisions, her continuous practice of prayer, her devotion to the laws of her faith, her steadiness at moments of crisis, and her devotion to her relativesall indicate a close-knit, loving family that looked forward to the next generation even while retaining the best of the past.
Joachim and Annwhether these are their real names or notrepresent that entire quiet series of generations who faithfully perform their duties, practice their faith and establish an atmosphere for the coming of the Messiah, but remain obscure.
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Assumption of Mary
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St. Adrian of Canterbury (d. 710)
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St. Bonaventure (1221-1274)
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Blessed Junipero Serra (1713-1784)
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Blessed Emmanuel Ruiz and Companions (1804-1860)
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St. Agatha (d. 251?)
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Servant of God Francis Garces and Companions (c. 1781)
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St. Adalbert of Prague (956-97)
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St. Maria Goretti (1890-1902)
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Blessed Adolph Kolping (1813-1865)