St. Joachim and St. Anne, Mary‘s Parents - The Conception - Bk 1 - Ch 12

In chapter 12, the Venerable Sister Mary of Ágreda introduces us to St. Joachim and St. Anne, The Blessed Virgin Mary’s parents, and the grandparents of the Our Lord. She describes how they lived, where they lived and what they were like, and how they prayed for the coming of the child that would be Mary. She also tells us the Archangel Gabriel played a significant role in their lives. He appeared to both: one in physical form, the other in his sleep. Sound familiar? Despite being very holy people, Anne and Joachim were widely criticized for being childless after 20-years of marriage – a sure sign of Divine disapproval. But in their prayers, they appealed to God. And their beautiful daughter would be beyond their wildest dreams.