Pilgrimage with Pope Francis - THIRD STATION - St. Joachim, patron of fathers

Welcome to the third station on our virtual pilgrimage to Philadelphia with Pope Francis ahead of the World Meeting of Families. Let us pray!

About St. Joachim

By tradition Joachim and Anne are considered to be the names of the parents of Mary, the Mother of God.

After years of childlessness, an angel appeared to tell Anne and Joachim that they would have a child. Anne promised to dedicate this child to God.

St. Joachim was a loving father who obviously nurtured Mary to be the first among all women. He provided for her and taught her wisdom. She learned to trust God and to be open to His will so that when the Angel Gabriel visited her, her reply was "Let it be done according to thy will."

St. Joachim is a model for all fathers of how to be and how to raise holy daughters.

Meditation:

As we pause at the shrine of St. Joachim, the patron saint of fathers, we pause to reflect on the importance of fatherhood and parenting to our children. We know that children need their fathers, but this is not always possible. In these cases, it is the mother or a guardian who must accept the mantle. Whomever wears this mantle is responsible for raising children in the Faith. It is he who will answer to God for their formation. A child must be taught, in the most loving manner possible (for God IS love!) that Christ is the Way and this that is how to be as a Christian.

What can I do, to be a better father or to help my child's father to do better? How can we be more like St. Joachim?

Prayer:

St. Joachim, you served a mighty role, raising your daughter Mary for God. Your sacrifices and work must have been tremendous!

Please, St. Joachim, show me how I can be a better parent to my children. How can I be a better steward of youth? Show me how, I aspire to you!

Please intercede for all parents, that they may fulfil the duty of parenthood and raise their children up to love and serve God before all others.

Finally, St. Joachim, we pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, for he is a father to all who follow him. May God grant him the wisdom and strength to raise us up to God.

Pause and meditate upon this prayer.

Now, let us pray the World Meeting of Families Prayer

God and Father of us all,
in Jesus, your Son and our Savior,
you have made us
your sons and daughters
 in the family of the Church.
May your grace and love
help our families
in every part of the world
be united to one another
in fidelity to the Gospel.
May the example of the Holy Family,
with the aid of your Holy Spirit,
guide all families, especially those most troubled,
to be homes of communion and prayer
and to always seek your truth and live in your love.
Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us.

Let us pause and mediate upon this prayer.

Finally, let us offer our intentions to St. Joachim.

(List your intentions)

St. Joachim, hear our prayer!

Amen.

Now we invite you to resume your pilgrimage and download the World Meeting of Families prayer. Click the button below to get your free copy.