JULY 25

Day 25: Saint Ann, mother of Our Lady Mary.

Saint Ann was born in Bethlehem, in the tribe of Judah. And in her matrimony with Joachim, the household of David was married to the priestly offspring. They both were constantly praying God for a child, as they grew old and were childless. One day, Joachim’s offering to the temple was refuse by the priests there, because he was barren. He then turned back sad, crying, and got lost in the wilderness, fasting for forty days. And while Ann was praying, the angle of the Lord appeared to her and announcing to them that God had answered their prayers and that He will give them a girl, which will be the purest and most honorable among women.

Ann made a vow to consecrate her future baby to the Lord, and thus she conceived Mary, who was immaculate of the original sin. After nine months she delivered a girl and named her Mary (Mariam), which means “the Lady of the Sea” or “the high one”.

Many saints had praised Saint Ann, especially saint Epiphanos bishop of Silamina, Cyprus in the year 368. And since that time, the devotion to St. Ann has spread out in the Church. In Annaya, there is a historical church dedicated to the name of Saint Ann, and belongs to the Monastery of Saint Maron [where Saint Sharbel lived], and it is the only church in Lebanon that carries her name. May her prayer be with us. Amen.