A True Witness of the Grandfather: Lessons from St. Joachim and James Ramirez

Honoring St. Joachim: Grandfather of Jesus

Greetings to our Virginia brothers and sisters in community! Today, on the Feast of St. Joachim (August 16 in the Roman Catholic calendar), we honor the grandfather of Jesus Christ and the father of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Joachim, together with his wife, St. Anne, were chosen by God to be the parents of Mary, the Mother of God, making them the grandparents of our Savior.

Sacred Tradition, particularly as found in the Protoevangelium of James, tells us that Joachim and Anne were advanced in years and childless. Yet their fervent prayers and sacrifices to God were answered with the gift of Mary, conceived without original sin through the Immaculate Conception. St. Joachim is honored as the patron saint of fathers, grandfathers, and grandparents, reminding us of the sacred duty to pass on faith through generations of family.

Celebrating Joachim the day after the Assumption of Mary (August 15) is fitting—it draws our attention back to Mary’s parents, whose faith and perseverance made God’s plan of salvation possible.

The Spiritual Message of Perseverance

St. Joachim’s life reminds us that God hears our prayers, even in long seasons of waiting. His story shows that apparent barrenness or suffering can transform into blessings beyond imagination.

As St. Augustine once reflected, “Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.” Joachim’s perseverance invites us to trust in God’s timing and to discover purpose even in later stages of life.

In our own lives, like the women who shared during the Speakers Workshop, persistence in prayer bears fruit. Sometimes God calls us to a mission of prayer and intercession, even when we might wonder why He has not yet called us to the next stage.

The Value of Grandfathers: Insights from Pope Leo XIV

On July 27, 2025, Pope Leo XIV shared a powerful message for the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. In it, he highlighted the unique value and role of grandfathers in the life of the Church:

• Witnesses of Hope: Grandfathers testify that God calls and blesses at every stage of life. Their perseverance amid trials reflects St. Paul’s words: “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10).

• Bearers of Memory: They preserve family history, faith, and traditions, linking past, present, and future.

• Signs of God’s Fidelity: Their presence reminds us that life is directed toward God’s promises and eternal fulfillment.

• Sources of Love and Prayer: Even as physical strength wanes, grandfathers continue to love and pray, offering gifts that cannot be taken away.

• Living Blessings: Just as Jacob blessed his grandchildren (Genesis 48), grandfathers pass on faith, hope, and courage.

The Role of Grandfathers in Faith

Grandfathers are more than family elders—they are spiritual pillars of the domestic church. Their roles include:

• Transmitters of Faith: By sharing their lived experiences of prayer, Mass, and daily devotion, they form the spiritual foundations of families.

• Examples of Virtue: Their perseverance, civic responsibility, and social commitment show faith in action.

• Encouragers of Hope: Their trust in God during trials inspires younger generations to remain steadfast.

• Builders of Unity: Their love strengthens family bonds, fostering reconciliation and deeper affection across generations.

• Companions of the Vulnerable: They extend care beyond their families, standing with the lonely, forgotten, and marginalized elderly, exemplifying a “revolution of gratitude and care” in the Church.

A Modern Example: The Life of James “Jim” Ramirez

Last Wednesday, we witnessed a living testimony of these principles at the funeral Mass of Mr. James Ramirez, father of Sister in Christ Janet. Jim Ramirez exemplified deep faith, humility, and discipline—a man whose life bore witness to Christ in word and deed.

From his service in the Legion of Mary to his unwavering dedication to family, Jim lived with self-discipline, joy, and childlike humility. His daughter, Ruth Arleen, shared how he was a devoted husband and father of twelve, remaining faithful even after his wife’s passing—praying at her gravesite daily and expressing tender devotion through simple acts of love.

In later years, Jim wondered why God had not called him home. Yet through prayer, he discerned a new mission: intercessory prayer. He faithfully offered prayers for family, friends, the sick, and the departed, turning his twilight years into a vocation of holiness.

Both friend and family attested that Jim’s life was a faithful Catholic witness: rooted in prayer, lived in service, sustained by humility, and expressed through joyful love of God and neighbor. His century-long life was not only long but purposeful, fruitful, and holy.

Lessons for Our Families and Communities

Grandfathers, like St. Joachim and James Ramirez, are spiritual beacons—guardians of memory, transmitters of hope, and witnesses of God’s faithfulness. Their mission is not diminished by age; it is elevated. Every stage of life, every season of waiting, is an opportunity to glorify God and serve His Church.

As St. John Paul II once said, “Grandparents are the memory of the people: never forget the memory.” Let us honor the grandfathers in our lives by learning from their perseverance, faith, and love. Let us carry forward their legacy in our families and communities, cherishing their prayers, embracing their teachings, and walking in their footsteps of faith.

Call to Action

Today, take a moment to thank a grandfather or elder in your life. Learn their stories, embrace their wisdom, and honor their prayers. Let us strive to be witnesses of hope and pillars of faith for future generations, ensuring that the light of Christ shines brightly through our families—just as it did through St. Joachim and James Ramirez.