SAINT ANN, GRANDMOTHER OF JESUS
Father Weiser explains the customs surrounding Saint Ann or Anne. Her feast day is shared with her husband Joachim on July 26.
Father Weiser explains the customs surrounding Saint Ann or Anne. Her feast day is shared with her husband Joachim on July 26.
DIRECTIONS
Saint Anne, or Ann, is not mentioned in the Bible. It was only in
legendary books of the early Christian centuries that the names of Mary's
parents were given as Joachim and Anne. Since the Fathers of the Church
rejected the use of such legendary sources, the faithful in Europe had no feast
in honor of our Lord's grand-parents. In the Middle East, however, the
veneration of Saint Anne can be traced back to the fourth century.
The Crusaders brought the name and legend of Saint Anne to Europe, and
the famous Dominican Jacobus de Voragine (1298) printed the story in his Golden
Legend. From that time on the popular veneration of the saint spread into
all parts of the Christian world. It was encouraged by the religious orders of
the Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustinians, and Carmelites. In southern France a
Feast of Saint Anne was celebrated as early as the fourteenth century. Pope
Urban VI in 1378 extended it to England at the king's request. Not until 1584,
however, did the feast become universal, when Pope Gregory XIII prescribed it
for the whole Church.
As grandmother of Christ and mother of Mary, Saint Anne soon became the
patron of married women, and for childless couples a special aid in obtaining
children. According to legend she was married three times, first to Joachim,
after his death to Cleophas, and finally to Salomas. This detail of the ancient
story inspired young women to turn to her for help in finding a husband. After
all, since she had had three husbands herself, should she not be able and willing
to provide at least one bridegroom for those who trustingly appealed to her? In
the languages of all European nations young women implored her: I beg you, holy mother Anne, Send me a good and
loving man.
Her patronage of fertility was extended also to the
soil. Thus she became a patron of rain. It is a popular saying in Italy that
"rain is Saint Anne's gift"; in Germany, July rain was called
"Saint Anne''s dowry"
Finally, the gentle grandmother of the Lord is everywhere invoked as one
of the great helpers for various needs of body and soul. Many churches have
been erected to her, most of them becoming famous centers of pilgrimages. One
of the best-known shrines in this part of the world is St. Anne de Beaupré in
Quebec, Canada.
From the eighteenth century on, Anne, which means "grace," was
used more and more as a favorite name for girls. At the beginning of the
nineteenth century it was the most popular girls' name in central Europe,
surpassing even that of Mary. This preference was based on a famous saying of
past centuries, "All Annes are beautiful." Naturally, parents wanted
to assure this benefit for their baby daughters by calling them Anne or by
adding Anne to a first name. Thus we have the many traditional names containing
Anne or Ann (Mary Ann, Marianne, Marian, Ann Marie, Joanne, Elizabeth Ann,
Lillian, Martha Ann, Louise Ann, Patricia Ann).
A hundred years ago there still remained the custom in many parts of
Europe of celebrating Saint Anne's Day as a festival "of all Annes,"
meaning all beautiful girls. Dressed in their finery the bevy would parade
through the streets with their escorts, bands would serenade them in parks and
squares, balls would be held (both Johann Strausses composed "Anne
Polkas" for this festival). Saint Anne's Eve was the day of receptions for
debutantes at court and in private homes. Public amusements, including
fireworks, entertained the crowds. The warm summer night was alive with
laughter, beauty, music, and lights. And all of it was still connected in the
hearts and minds of the participants with a tribute to Saint Anne, whose feast
day shed its radiance upon this enchanting celebration.
LITURGICAL PRAYER — O God, who didst deign to confer on Saint Anne
the grace to be the mother of her who was to give birth to Thy only-begotten
Son: mercifully grant us, who celebrate her feast, that we may be helped by her
intercession.
Activity Source: Handbook of Christian Feasts and
Customs by Francis X. Weiser, S.J., Harcourt, Brace and Company, New York,
1958
SPECIAL INFO
www.ucatholic.com
St.
Dismas was the so-called Good Thief who was crucified along with
another thief (later named Gestas) and Jesus on the hill called Golgotha
on the outskirts of Jerusalem. St. Dismas is the patron Saint of those
condemned to Death.
According to Matthew 2:1-12, "wise men" came from the East to visit Jesus, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense (an aromatic gum resin used in incense and perfumes), and myrrh (another aromatic plant resin). Christian tradition holds that these Magi (members of a priestly caste of ancient Persia) were named Balthazar, Gaspar, and Melchior. It is not clear just who carried which gift; the biblical account, in fact, makes no reference to specific names, or even to the fact that there were exactly three visitors. That number is deduced from the fact that there were three gifts.
Traditions identify a variety of different names for the Magi. In the Western Christian church they have been commonly known as:
Melchior (also Melichior), a Persian scholar
Caspar (also Gaspar, Jaspar, Jaspas, Gathaspa, and other variations), an Indian scholar
Balthazar (also Balthasar, Balthassar, and Bithisarea), an Arabian scholar
TIME FRAME: Becoming a Catholic priest takes eight years of education after graduating high school. The first four years are generally spent at a college or university to work on earning a Bachelors Degree, such as philosophy or religious studies. It is possible to become a priest without having a college degree. In that case, the years that are normally spent in college are spent at the seminary in a preliminary course. Next comes four years in the seminary, in which the man focuses on learning the Catholic interpretation of the Bible and other information. Once the man is out of the seminary, he enters a six-month internship, where he is considered a deacon. Once this is done, the man is a priest.
CONSIDERATIONS: Only men who take a vow of poverty, chastity and obedience can become priests. The Catholic church doesn't allow priests to marry or have romantic relationships. If a priest decides to marry, he must leave the priesthood. He can, however, serve the diocese as a deacon.
TYPES: There are two main types of priests. Diocesan priests, who serve the diocese they preside over, and Religious Order priests, who focus on wide scale teaching and community service. While there is only one kind of Diocesan priest, there are four Religious Orders of Catholic priests. The Jesuits were originally formed by Saint Ignatius Loyola in 1540 as an independent religious organization. After discovering the organization needed the help of an established religion, he offered his organization to the Pope. The Benedictine Order is made up of monk, who are often called "black monks." The Dominicans or Order of the Friars Preachers, is part of a larger order that includes the Dominican Sisters or nuns. The Franciscans Order was originally founded by Saint Francis. It includes three divisions of priests, nuns and other religious authorities, such as deacons.
Geography: Catholic priests can be found throughout the world. The center of the priesthood is in Rome, Italy. This is where the head of the Catholic church, the Pope, lives. The majority of Catholic priests are found in Europe and North America.
Function: A Catholic priest has numerous responsibilities. They preside over mass, counsel church members, perform Catholic rites such as weddings, funerals, last rites, baptisms, communion and confession. Priests make house calls and visit people in hospitals. Many priests are active in their community.
Names of the Three Kings (Three Wise Men), and the gifts that each brought to the baby Jesus.
According to Matthew 2:1-12, "wise men" came from the East to visit Jesus, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense (an aromatic gum resin used in incense and perfumes), and myrrh (another aromatic plant resin). Christian tradition holds that these Magi (members of a priestly caste of ancient Persia) were named Balthazar, Gaspar, and Melchior. It is not clear just who carried which gift; the biblical account, in fact, makes no reference to specific names, or even to the fact that there were exactly three visitors. That number is deduced from the fact that there were three gifts.
Traditions identify a variety of different names for the Magi. In the Western Christian church they have been commonly known as:
Melchior (also Melichior), a Persian scholar
Caspar (also Gaspar, Jaspar, Jaspas, Gathaspa, and other variations), an Indian scholar
Balthazar (also Balthasar, Balthassar, and Bithisarea), an Arabian scholar
More information on wise men from the East, at JW McGarvey's "The Fourfold
Gospel."
DOCTRINE ABOUT CATHOLIC PRIESTS
As the largest Christian
religion, the Catholic church relies on its priests to lead the church
congregation. A priest has to uphold all of the Catholic beliefs and
values at all times.
TIME FRAME: Becoming a Catholic priest takes eight years of education after graduating high school. The first four years are generally spent at a college or university to work on earning a Bachelors Degree, such as philosophy or religious studies. It is possible to become a priest without having a college degree. In that case, the years that are normally spent in college are spent at the seminary in a preliminary course. Next comes four years in the seminary, in which the man focuses on learning the Catholic interpretation of the Bible and other information. Once the man is out of the seminary, he enters a six-month internship, where he is considered a deacon. Once this is done, the man is a priest.
CONSIDERATIONS: Only men who take a vow of poverty, chastity and obedience can become priests. The Catholic church doesn't allow priests to marry or have romantic relationships. If a priest decides to marry, he must leave the priesthood. He can, however, serve the diocese as a deacon.
TYPES: There are two main types of priests. Diocesan priests, who serve the diocese they preside over, and Religious Order priests, who focus on wide scale teaching and community service. While there is only one kind of Diocesan priest, there are four Religious Orders of Catholic priests. The Jesuits were originally formed by Saint Ignatius Loyola in 1540 as an independent religious organization. After discovering the organization needed the help of an established religion, he offered his organization to the Pope. The Benedictine Order is made up of monk, who are often called "black monks." The Dominicans or Order of the Friars Preachers, is part of a larger order that includes the Dominican Sisters or nuns. The Franciscans Order was originally founded by Saint Francis. It includes three divisions of priests, nuns and other religious authorities, such as deacons.
Geography: Catholic priests can be found throughout the world. The center of the priesthood is in Rome, Italy. This is where the head of the Catholic church, the Pope, lives. The majority of Catholic priests are found in Europe and North America.
Function: A Catholic priest has numerous responsibilities. They preside over mass, counsel church members, perform Catholic rites such as weddings, funerals, last rites, baptisms, communion and confession. Priests make house calls and visit people in hospitals. Many priests are active in their community.
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