SS. Ann and Joachim, parents of the Blessed Mother and grandparents of Jesus, were celebrated on July 26, which coincided with the third and final diocesan Jubilee Year of Hope pilgrimage.
The intergenerational event took place at St. Paschal Baylon Parish in Highland Heights as part of the annual St. Ann Triduum, July 24-26. St. Ann Shrine is in the Oratory of the Blessed Sacrament on the parish grounds. It is a shrine of the Diocese of Cleveland and the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and is one of 11 places designated as Jubilee Year sacred sites by Bishop Edward Malesic.
Father William Fickel, SSS presided at the triduum, including celebrating Mass each day. Mass included veneration of St. Ann’s relic. Father Damian Ference, diocesan vicar for evangelization, concelebrated the July 26 liturgy.
(See photo gallery above.)
In his homily, Father Fickel said SS. Joachim and Ann prayed for a child, but their prayers were not answered for many years. He said those who pray faithfully may feel that God doesn’t hear their prayers.
“He hears you … but you’re telling him what you want. You must listen to God,” he said, noting his voice is not a shout, but is usually quiet. SS. Ann and Joachim received a special gift from the Lord: the child Mary, who became the mother of God.
“May our faith increase with age … and one day, may we be remembered for the gifts we have given,” Father Fickel said, noting Ann and Joachim’s gift was their grandchild, Mary’s son and our savior.
After Mass, there was a candlelight procession in the church followed by an ice cream social featuring the two Jubilee Year ice cream flavors, Pilgrim Tracks and Jubilee Indulgence. Pilgrims also could visit the shrine and get their Jubilee Year passports stamped. Several people said it was their first visit to the shrine.