From the Gospel:

Jesus went through all cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom and curing any illness and any infirmity. Seeing crowds, Jesus was grabbed with commiseration towards them because they were thrown into confusion and slaughtered as ewes without shepherd. Then, he says to his disciples: «Harvest is abundant, but workers are less numerous. Pray therefore the master of harvest to send workers for his harvest. » (Matthew 9, 35-39)

You wanted neither offertory nor sacrifice, you opened my ears; you asked neither for holocaust nor victim, then I said: «Behold, I come. (Psalm 39, 7-8)

Saint Anne's life:

Tradition narrates that Joachim and Anne vowed to consecrate Mary to God in the Temple as soon as her age allowed it, to show their immense gratitude for the birth of their daughter. It is said that Anne breastfed Mary until her three years, and as soon as she was weaned, she set foot in the Temple: all by herself, the little girl climbed the fifteen stairs leading to the altar of holocausts. The noble child was admitted to the select group of virgins consecrated to God. 

Although her parents were very proud of her, and extremely joyed to see her being consecrated to God, they felt the deep aches of separation. It was unbelievably hard on them to let go of the child for whom they waited for so long, who filled their soul with the purest happiness. But they honored their promise. God rewarded their faithfulness by granting them comfort and consolation. Thus, Anne and Joachim represent those parents who feel a void in their heart when their child chooses the consecrated life, by becoming a priest, a nun, a monk, etc. May they be filled with joy, knowing that their child is fulfilling his or her calling, and may they know that God comforts and consoles. 

The Church's teaching:

You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. By these words, the Lord invites you to be witnesses and missionaries to your brothers. May your life, which draws its meaning from Christ, be "savory" for those around you! May your life shine, because deep inside your heart is the Lord; He loves you, and he calls you to share his joy! It is indeed the fact to know that we are loved which allows us to march on the path of life with confidence. The experience of the baptized is first and foremost being linked to Christ, the source of life, receiving from him life abundantly, and becoming witnesses to the world. 

From John Paul II speech to young couples and their children in St. Anne d'Auray, September 20th, 1996, §4

Let us pray:

On this day, O Saint Anne, we lift up in our prayers the consecrated people, and the persons considering consecrated life. May families become privileged places where vocations bloom. O St. Anne, as you nurtured Mary's particular mission, watch over the consecrated, may they grow as dedicated servants of the Word of God. Comfort the parents who suffer from their child's choice. O Lord, by the intercession of St. Anne, give us the holy priests, nuns, monks and lay ministers we need so direly. Amen. 

Saint Anne, we pray you,

Be the guard

Of faith in our hearts,

Of grace in our souls,

Of the solidity of our homes

Of love in our family

Of reconciliation in the Church

Of peace in the world.

Keep alive in us

The virtue of hope.

Conclusion prayer:

Short version:

• One Our Father, one Hail Mary, One Glory Be.
• Say once “St. Anne, pray for us and our families.”

Longer version:

• A rosary decade, or even a full rosary (five decades).
• “St. Anne, pray for us and our families.”

Reading proposal:  Deus Caritas est, Pope Benedict XVI (2005)