# Novena Prayer to Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
*2016-06-25*

> Bill Young introduces a novena honoring Saints Joachim and Anne, recounts the papal decree establishing their feast, recites the Apostles’ Creed, and offers a heartfelt prayer to these holy parents of Mary.

## A Feast for the Parents of Mary

Pope Gregory XV established a feast in honor of the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the decree, the Virgin Mary herself appears, thanking the Pope for the honor given to her mother and father and promising great reward for those who celebrate the feast from July 18th to July 26th.

## The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

## Novena Prayer to Saint Anne (and Saint Joachim)

Blessed Saint Anne, mother of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, you are honored among all mothers. I admire the greatness of your vocation and unite myself to your holy protection, consecrating my life to Jesus and Mary. Grant that I may live with humble openness and gratitude, loving my brothers and sisters so that one day I may praise God in eternity. 

Glorious Mother of Mary, through the patience with which you bore the sorrows of your family, obtain for us the grace of continual acceptance amid life’s trials. 

Mother of God, intercede for us that the fervor of our prayers may be accompanied by the spirit of sacrifice, making us worthy of heavenly graces. 

Through your charitable works, grant us a charity similar to yours, that we may receive God’s mercy. 

Through your steadfast trust in God’s promises, help us obtain divine favors. 

Through your gratitude for being chosen as Mary’s mother, teach us to be ever grateful for God’s blessings. 

Through the pure love you bore for Mary, may we love her as our own mother and merit her protection. 

Through the sacrifice of offering your daughter to God’s service, give us the willingness to offer ourselves to His will. 

Through your lifelong devotion, inspire us to live as a holy people until the end of days. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

*Praying to Saints Joachim and Anne draws us deeper into the love of their daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and into a life of gratitude and sacrifice.*