There are no historical details of the life of the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary — even her name, Anne, like that of Mary's father, Joachim, comes from an apocryphal source, the second-century 'Gospel of James'.

According to tradition, Anne and her husband had no children, even after many years of marriage. Shamed by their childlessness, Joachim fasted and prayed in the desert for 40 days, while Anne prayed beneath a laurel bush. Both saw angelic visions in which they were assured that they would have a child, and in due course Mary was born to them.

As the mother of Mary, anne has a particular responsibility for pregnant women.

Above we see Anne depicted at prayer with the unborn Mary in her womb.

To the left we see an angel appearing to her.

Although nothing is known for certain about Mary's parents, Anne has been worshipped since the sixth century, her cult becoming especially popular in the West during the fourteenth century. It was later attacked by Martin Luther as being mere superstition.

Collect

Lord God of Israel, who bestowed such grace on Anne and Joachim that their daughter Mary grew up obedient to your word and made ready to be the mother of your Son: help us to commit ourselves in all things to your keeping and grant us the salvation you promised to your people; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.