Page:MaryHelpOfChristians.djvu/98



Preparatory Prayer  (p.  74).

radition tells  us  that  Mary's  parents  were called Joachim  and  Anna. The holy  Fathers rival each  other  in  praising  the  virtue  of  this  holy couple. St. Epiphanius  writes:  "Joachim  and Anna  were  pleasing  in  the  sight  of  God  because of  the  holiness  of  their  lives.,,  St.  Andrew  of Crete  remarks:  ^'Joachim  was  eminent  for  the mildness  and  fortitude  of  his  character.  The law  of  God  was  his  rule  of  life.  He  was  just,  and never  relaxed  in  the  fervor  of  his  love  of  God. Anna  was  no  less  noted  for  her  meekness,  continence, and  chastity." St. Jerome  relates:  "The life  of  this  holy  couple  was  simple  and  just  before the  Lord,  edifying  and  virtuous  before  men." St. John  Damascene  exclaims:  "O  happy,  chaste, and  immaculate  couple,  Joachim  and  Ann!  You are  known,  according  to  the  Lord's  word,  by  your fruit.  Your  life  was  pleasing  in  the  sight  of  God, and  worthy  of  her  who  was  born  of  you."

t is a  great  blessing,  and  one  to  be  esteemed more highly  than  wealth  and  high  station,  to have  God-fearing,  pious  parents. For their  sake