Saints Joachim and Anne, Grandparents of Jesus

Today is the Feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, grandparents of Our Lord.  As I am about to become a grandmother, Sts. Joachim and Anne are especially important to me this year.

The Old Testament reading from Sirach speaks of the righteous ancestors, something all grandparents strive to be.

Let us now sing the praises of our ancestors in their generations. Some of them have left behind a name, so that others declare their praise. These were godly people, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten; their wealth will remain with their descendants, and their inheritance with their children's children.

Their descendants stand by the covenants; their children also, for their sake. Their offspring will continue forever, and their glory will never be blotted out. Their bodies are buried in peace, but their name lives on generation after generation. The assembly declares their wisdom, and the congregation proclaims their praise."

~Sir. 44:1, 8, 10-5