Ways to Celebrate with Your Children: July 26 – Sts. Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

At the heart of the Montessori philosophy is a deep respect for the child and the family—the first and most vital environment in a child’s life. On July 26, the Church honors Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of Jesus. This special day offers families a beautiful opportunity to pause, reflect, and celebrate the gift of family, especially grandparents.

Here are meaningful, Montessori-aligned ways to celebrate this feast day with your children:

1. Create a Family Tree Together

Use this day to explore your child’s family roots. Drawing a simple family tree can help children understand the connections between generations, much like Jesus' connection to His grandparents, Joachim and Anne.

Montessori tip: Use real photos or printed pictures to create a tactile, hands-on experience. For younger children, use three-part cards with family member names.

2. Tell the Story of Joachim and Anne

Although not mentioned in the Bible, tradition tells us that Joachim and Anne were faithful and prayerful people who longed for a child. Their daughter Mary would later become the mother of Jesus.

Read a child-friendly version of their story or create a simple puppet show. Help children see how even those who wait patiently and prayerfully can become part of God’s great plan.

3. Celebrate Grandparents

Since Joachim and Anne were the grandparents of Jesus, this day is often seen as a Catholic Grandparents Day. Have your children:

• Draw pictures or write letters to their grandparents.

• Call or video chat with them.

• Say a prayer of thanksgiving for their grandparents—living or deceased.

  
  

Bonus Montessori activity: Create a practical life work where children prepare a small snack or arrange flowers to give as a gift to grandparents.

4. Prayer and Reflection Time

Invite your child to light a candle and say a prayer asking Sts. Joachim and Anne to bless your family.

Simple Prayer:Sts. Joachim and Anne, help us to love our families the way you loved Mary. Guide our hearts to be patient, generous, and kind. Amen.

5. Bake Bread or a Favorite Family Recipe

In many traditions, baking bread or preparing a simple meal is a sacred act of love and sharing. Choose a family recipe that’s been passed down, and invite your child to help prepare it.

Montessori approach: Involve your child in each step—measuring, mixing, pouring—offering real tools and real purpose.

6. Visit or Write to an Elderly Neighbor

Extend the spirit of the day beyond your own family. Consider visiting an elderly neighbor or writing them a kind note. It’s a beautiful way to live out the Montessori principle of community care and respect for all.

7. Create a Family Altar or Sacred Space

Designate a small space in your home with an image of Sts. Joachim and Anne, a candle, and a Bible or rosary. Invite your child to help decorate it and return to it for prayer during the week.

Honoring the Montessori Spirit

Celebrating Sts. Joachim and Anne is not only a way to connect to our Catholic faith—it’s also an opportunity to nurture gratitude, reverence for family, and a sense of generational belonging. Through simple, hands-on experiences and meaningful conversations, children can grow in faith and love in ways that honor the Montessori vision of whole-child development.

Happy Feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne! May your family be filled with joy, love, and the quiet blessings of togetherness.