Thursday 26 July

Sts Joachim & Ann, Parents of Mary

Ecclesiasticus 44:1,10-15; Psalm 132; Matthew 13:16-17

While we have only legend to tell us that persons called Joachim and Ann were the parents of Mary, we can be sure that the parents of Mary, whatever their names, raised her lovingly and as a faithful Jewish maiden. As grandparents of Jesus they were the links to his Jewish heritage. In our prayer today let us express our appreciation of the beliefs and cultural treasures our parents, grandparents and other forebears have handed on to us.