FEAST OF ST ANNE
YEAR B
Introduction
Christian and Islamic traditions revere Anne as the mother of Mary, and the grandmother of Jesus. The
New Testament is silent about Mary’s family life. Reference to her parents, named as Anne and Joachim,
first appears in apocryphal (and unreliable) literature around 150 CE. There are strong parallels between
Anne’s story and the conception of Mary, and the biblical account of Hannah and her son Samuel.
Devotion to St Anne spread throughout the Eastern Church from the 6th century, and in the Western
Church from the 13th century. The latter is associated with increasing devotion to Mary, the mother of the
Lord. Identifying the grandparents of Jesus by name, whether or not those names are accurate, emphasises
the humanness of Jesus as a baby born into a family where the generations were acknowledged and
revered, as they are in our families.
Collect
Everloving God, in Christ your shared our sense of heritage and the continuity of the generations;
as we remember Anne, the grandmother of your Son, help us to respect our forbears, and learn
from the wisdom of the old; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen
or
Lord God of Israel, who bestowed such grace on Anne and Joachim that their daughter Mary grew
up obedient to your word and made ready to be the mother of your Son; help us to commit
ourselves in all things to your keeping and grant us the salvation you promised to your people;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen
Reading Introductions
Zephaniah 3:14-20. Zephaniah was probably a member of the court at the time of King Josiah, whose
reforms in 621 BC were intended to purify Israel. Zephaniah holds out hope for those who wait
patiently for God.
James 1:16-21. The letter of James is a treatise rather than a letter, and may not be by James himself. Its
style of exhortation is like some of the Jewish wisdom literature, but in a Christian context.
Luke 1:26-38. Luke begins his Gospel with accounts of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. This
includes Gabriel’s explanation to Mary of the significance of the baby she will bear.
Alleluia, Alleluia
Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.
Alleluia
Feast of St Anne :Year B
Post Communion Prayer
Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name, your servants Anne and Joachim
revealed your goodness in lives of tranquillity and service; grant that we who have gathered in faith
around this table may like them know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge and be filled with all
your fullness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Blessing
Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with peace
and goodwill and make you partakers of the divine nature; and the blessing of God almighty, the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen
Copyright:
Introduction St Peter’s Cathedral
Collect, (1) For All the Saints 1996; (2) Church House Publishing 1997
Reading Introductions, Ken Booth
Alleluia Verse, The Sunday Missal, 1982
Post Communion Sentence, and Blessing Church House Publishing 1997
Feast of St Anne :Year B