From the Bible:

“Like a lily among thorns, so is my friend among women./Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my lover among men. In his shadow I delight to sit, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.” Song of Songs 2, 2-4

St. Anne's life

Like all youth living in Israel at that time, Anne and Joachim planned on getting married. After their wedding, they chose to live in Nazareth. Together, they led a holy life, in a perfect union. They were pious and charitable.

Anne and Joachim are perfect companions for engaged couples. They are strong role models, and by their example they inspire the soon-to-be-wed to build a stable union, based on faith, encouraging them to live in a “giving” attitude, whether in their couple or toward their neighbors.

The Church's teachings

“We've heard many testimonies about the importance of the Eucharist. And you are right, as it is the spring from which the Christian spouses will drink. In the New Alliance sealed by Christ with humanity, they discover a model for their love. The conjugal relationship cannot be based solely on love feelings; it is first and foremost based on the absolute commitment, freely consented, on alliance and gift of self, all sustained by faithfulness and fidelity. Through their conjugal life, the spouses are witnesses to the true love, which encompasses all the dimensions of the being, spiritual, intellectual, affective, and physical.”

From the speech of St. John Paul II in St. Anne d'Auray, September 20th, 1996

Let us pray

O St. Anne, today, we lift up in our prayers the engaged couples. May their manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. May they now begin to discover the principles and power of covenant love and faithfulness. St. Anne, walk with them closely through this process, teach them that live is a gift that must not be suffocated by selfishness,. We entrust to your care those who are having second thoughts and hesitations about marriage, may they let God guide them and bless their union. Amen.

Saint Ann, 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: Saint Jean-Paul II, «The Theology of the Body.»