Saint Joachim
traditional father of the Virgin Mary
Saint Joachim was the father of the Virgin Mary and the grandfather of Jesus. Joachim means "Yahweh prepares".
According to tradition, Joachim wanted to pray in the temple but was turned away because of his childlessness. He went to a mountaintop to pray to God. An angel appeared to him and his wife, Anna. The angel told Joachim that the Lord heard their prayers and that Anna was with child.
It is believed that Anna and Joachim gave Mary to the service of the Temple when she was three years old.
St. Joachim and Saint Anna's feast day is July 26.
