The Scriptures tell us nothing about the parents of the Virgin Mother, not even their names. An early but unreliable document, known as the Proto-Gospel (or Proto-Evangelion) of James, calls them Ann and Joachim, by which names they are customarily known. Our only real information about them, however, is an inference from the kind of daughter they reared.

[Note: Those who would like to read the Proto-Evangelion will find it at http://www.csn.net/advent. Look under "Church Fathers".]

PRAYER (traditional language)

    Almighty God, heavenly Father, who settest the solitary in
    families:  We thankfully remember before thee this day the
    parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and we humbly entrust to
    thy never-failing care the homes in which thy people dwell;
    that we may be made very members of the heavenly family of thy
    Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the
    Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever.

Almighty God, heavenly Father, we remember in thanksgiving this Day the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and we pray that we all may be made one in the heavenly family of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever.

PRAYER (contemporary language)

Almighty God, heavenly Father, who set the solitary in Families: We thankfully remember before you this day the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and we humbly entrust to your never-failing care the homes in which your people dwell; that we may be made true members of the heavenly family of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever.

    Almighty God, heavenly Father, we remember in thanksgiving this
    day the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and we pray that we
    all may be  made one in the heavenly family of your Son Jesus
    Christ our Lord; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and
    reigns, one God, for ever and ever.

Psalm 132:11-19 or 85:8-13
Genesis 17:1-8
Luke 1:26-33 (Inc)