Namesake

Saint Anne was the mother of the blessed Virgin Mary, grandmother of Jesus and wife of Saint Joachim. She is the patron saint of carpenters, childless people, grandparents and homemakers. Her name is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew name Hannah which means “favour” or “grace”.

According to the gospel of James, Anne and her husband Joachim, after years of childlessness, were visited by an angel who told them that they would conceive a child. Anne promised to dedicate the child to God’s service. Joachim and Anne are believed to have given Mary to the service of the Second Temple when the girl was three years old.

The Feast Day of Saint. Anne takes place on July 26th. In Canada, Saint Anne is the principal patron of the province of Quebec.