Celebrating Grandparents' Feast Day and passing down the faith through generations

In the heat of the summer we celebrate Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim, the grandparents of Jesus. This special feast, July 26th, is the perfect opportunity to honor our own grandparents and the important role they play in passing on the faith.

At Shining Light Dolls, we're big believers in the special gift of grandparents. Our entire mission is to help families "pass on the faith through proven, play-based learning." And Grandma and Grandpa can be special sources in passing on the faith. The richness of the Catholic faith spans generations and it is a special witness to see faithful believers throughout many generations.

One way to celebrate grandparents on this special feast is to spend some quality time together. Plan a special outing or activity with grandparents. Visit a local shrine or cathedral, have a picnic in the park, ask grandparents to tell stories of their faith and experiences, or simply curl up and read stories about the lives of Saints Anne and Joachim.

The Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim is a beautiful reminder of the place grandparents have in our lives but also in salvation history. It also provides a poignant reminder of the multigenerational quality of faith in Jesus and that many have gone before us and many will come after. The faith is a treasured inheritance that grandparents have passed down for thousands of years.

Sts. Ann and Joachim, pray for us!

“In no way should [grandparents] ever be excluded from the family circle. They are a treasure which the younger generation should not be denied, especially when they bear witness to their faith.” — Pope Benedict XVI