Saint Joachim

Patron Saint of fathers, grandfathers, grandparents, families, married couples, those seeking children.

Feast Day: July 26th

Layperson

Jerusalem, Israel

Public Domain: San Joaquín, Museo Nacional del Virreinato, Tepotzotlán via Wikimedia Commons.

Feast Day: July 26th

Layperson

Jerusalem, Israel

About

Saint Joachim, honored in Catholic tradition as the Virgin Mary’s Father and the husband of Saint Anne, played a vital role in God’s plan of salvation. Though not mentioned in the canonical Gospels, his life and faith are preserved in ancient writings such as the Protoevangelium of James. Joachim was a devout and righteous man of Israel who, alongside Anne, suffered the pain of childlessness for many years. They remained steadfast in prayer until God blessed them with the miraculous gift of a daughter: Mary, destined to become the Mother of the Savior. As the Virgin Mary’s Father, Saint Joachim represents the faithful obedience of Israel, preparing the way for the Incarnation. His fatherly love and trust in God are seen as a model for Christian fathers today, reminding them of their responsibility to guide their families in faith.

Legacy

The devotion to Saint Joachim spread in both the Eastern and Western Church, where he is celebrated as a patron of fathers, grandparents, and families. Together with Saint Anne, he is remembered as part of the holy lineage that nurtured the Virgin Mary, forming the foundation of Christian family life. Many images and devotions depict him alongside Anne teaching Mary the ways of faith, symbolizing the importance of parents in passing on God’s Word. Joachim’s legacy is honored in shrines and liturgical celebrations, often united with Saint Anne’s feast on July 26, when the Church remembers the Virgin Mary’s Father and Mother as a model of holy parenthood.

“Rejoice with me, for of my seed the Lord has given to me the Mother of God.” — Traditional words attributed to Saint Joachim