Today is the feast of Saint Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin and grandmother of Jesus. Although there is very little verified historical fact about this saint, Catholics throughout the centuries have trusted in Saint Anne to bring their petitions before God.

Saint Anne is the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the one chosen by God to be the mother of His Son. Mary is known throughout the world as a good and holy woman, the highest pinnacle of womanhood, the perfect woman. Certainly, she must have had extraordinary parents, and in particular, an exceptional mother. This woman, Saint Anne, has been honored throughout the ages for the way she raised her daughter to be full of trust in God. Every mother has a profound impact on the life of her daughter, and for Mary, her mother must have been a wonderful example of faith.

Devotion to Saint Anne has been part of the church as early as the mid second century. For many years, it was considered the highest honor for a baby girl to be named after this saint and the Blessed Mother. In a smaller way, devotion to Saint Anne could be compared to devotion to Mary. Catholics who bring their petitions to Mary and ask her to bring them before her Son, often say that Jesus can refuse His Mother nothing. Surely His grandmother must have no small intercessory power in heaven as well! The learned Abbot Trithemius, of the Benedictine order, had an extraordinary devotion to the mother of Mary and wrote a book in her praise in which he says:

To Saint Anne God has given the power to aid in every necessity. because Jesus, her Divine Grandchild according to the flesh, will refuse her no petition, and Mary, her glorious daughter, supports her in every request. Those who venerate good Saint Anne shall want for nothing either in this life or the next.

The faithful Catholic should not worry about the lack of details surrounding this saint and instead focus on the truth that is known: the Virgin Mary was blessed with a mother who raised her in a way that brought glory to God.

Saint Anne, pray for us!