Saint Joachim

Biography

Saint Joachim, also known as Gioacchino and Heli, was the husband of Saint Anne and the elderly father of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Born in Galilee, Joachim is believed to have come from a well-off background. While he is not mentioned in historical or canonical writings, most of the information we have about him comes from the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James. According to tradition, when Joachim was away from home, both he and Anne received separate messages from an angel announcing that Anne was pregnant. This divine intervention highlighted the miraculous conception that would give birth to the future mother of Jesus Christ. One notable event in Joachim's life is the belief that he and Anne dedicated their daughter Mary to the service of the Temple when she was only three years old. This act of giving her to the Temple was a profound act of faith and dedication to God. It signifies Joachim's recognition of Mary's divine purpose, even at such a young age. Saint Joachim is often represented in religious art with various symbols and scenes. One common depiction is Joachim presenting a lamb to the altar, only to be turned away by the priest. This scene symbolizes an incident where Joachim was temporarily excluded from the temple due to his childlessness, which was considered a disgrace at the time. Another representation shows Joachim greeting and/or kissing Saint Anne at the Golden Gate. This imagery alludes to Joachim's joyful reunion with his wife after receiving the news of Mary's miraculous conception. Additionally, he is depicted as an elderly man, carrying a basket of doves and a staff, symbolizing offerings brought to the temple and his role as a faithful follower of God. While there is no historical evidence of Joachim's canonization, he is venerated as a saint in the pre-congregation period of the Catholic Church, where saints were recognized locally or regionally without a formal canonization process. Saint Joachim's feast day is celebrated on July 26th, in honor of his significant role in the lineage of Jesus Christ. He is revered as a patron saint of fathers, grandfathers, grandparents, and in Brazil, and is also recognized in places like Alterosa, Montezuma, Porteirinha, and São Joaquim de Bicas. In Puerto Rico, the town of Adjuntas holds Saint Joachim as their patron saint, honoring him for his faith and devotion. The legacy of Saint Joachim lives on through the devotion and prayers of those who seek his intercession and draw inspiration from his remarkable role in the Holy Family.