(First century BC) The parents of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, grandparents of Jesus Christ, are not known from historical or canonical writings but from the tradition of the Protoevangelium of James, also called the Infancy Gospel of James, likely written during the mid- to late-second century. Tradition has them as elderly when Mary was born, and that they gave her in service to the temple in Jerusalem at three years old as a perpetual consecrated virgin.

While we can’t have as high a degree of certainty regarding the details of their lives, we know that Mary, the Immaculate Conception, had parents, and that they must have been chosen by God. We can look to them as inspiration and intercessors for family life with God at the center. Where do we need intercession in our family life? How have our relationships grown or changed in recovery? Is God at the center?

“Joachim and Anne, how chaste a couple! While leading a devout and holy life in your human nature, you gave birth to a daughter nobler than the angels, whose queen she now is” (from a sermon by Saint John Damascene).

Reflection by Brad Farmer