July 26, Feast of Saint Anne
Saint Anne is celebrated on July 26 along with her husband, Saint Joachim. On this occasion, large celebrations are held in many parishes in honor of the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pilgrimages (particularly to Sainte-Anne-d’Auray), processions, concerts, and hymns of praise are typically held.
Although there is no mention of the Savior’s grandmother in the Gospels, her veneration grew in the East following the discovery, in the 2nd century, of the Protoevangelium of Saint James, an apocryphal gospel recounting Saint Anne’s immense role in Christian history.
The date of July 26 likely marks the anniversary of the dedication of a basilica built in Constantinople in honor of Saint Anne in the 6th century. The Franciscan monks added this feast day to their calendar on July 26, 1263.
Jesus’s grandmother is particularly celebrated and venerated in Brittany, where she is the patron saint. Indeed, after appearing to Yves Nicolazic in 1624, a shrine was dedicated to her, and she became the patron saint of sailors and of Brittany.
Prayer to Saint Anne
“Saint Anne, we pray to you.
Be the guardian of faith in our hearts, of grace in our souls, of the strength of our homes, of love in our families, of reconciliation in the Church, and of peace in the world.
Keep alive within us the virtue of Hope, like this flame that burns before you, patient and persevering, sustaining our prayer.
Saint Anne, watch over us.
Amen.”
Hymn to Saint Anne
“R/ Saint Anne, O good Mother, our songs rise up to you; hear our prayer and bless your children.
1/ This place, where your presence turns our hearts toward God, fills us with hope by pointing us toward heaven.
2/ Chosen by God the Father to give us Mary, may your example enlighten the hearts that implore you.
3/ Faithful to His promise, your God, your Creator, in all His wisdom, looked into your heart.
4/ Your faith, O good Mother, illuminated your life and prepared the earth to welcome the Messiah.”
This hymn is widely sung in Brittany, although there is a slight variation in the chorus:“Saint Anne, O Good Mother, to whom we pray, hear our prayer and bless your Bretons.”
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