why is saint anne a saint?

Saint Anne is the traditional nominal mother of the Virgin Mary, that is, the grandmother of Jesus. In fact, she is not mentioned in the Bible, but her name and legendary life are guessed in a New Testament writing in AD 150. It is mentioned in the Apocrypha "Gospel of James" that she married Saint Joachim and gave birth to the Virgin Mary in Sephares.

St. Anne is one of the patron saints of Brittany and Canada and of women in labor. As the grandparents of Jesus, Anne and her husband Joachim are also considered the patron saints of grandparents; their feast day is celebrated on July 26. Although in recent years, as compared to the history of the Church, a more formal process has come about for becoming a saint, Saint Anne is still considered a Saint because of her role as the mother of Mary, grandmother of Jesus Christ, and as a devout and pious servant to the Lord God.

St. Anne was born in Bethlehem and she was canonized in 1584. She became canonized as a saint because she raised Mary from birth and listened to God and the angels when they appeared and told her that her and Joachim were to dedicate Mary to God.

Saint Anne is the grandmother of Jesus. Her feast day is shared with her husband Joachim on July 26. As a grandmother of Christ and mother of Mary, Saint Anne soon became the patron of married women, and for childless couples a special aid in obtaining children. According to legend she was married three times, first to Joachim, after his death to Cleophas, and finally to Salomas. This detail of the ancient story inspired young women to turn to her for help in finding a husband. After all, since she had had three husbands herself, should she not be able and willing to provide at least one bridegroom for those who trustingly appealed to her? In the languages of all European nations young women implored her: I beg you, holy mother Anne, Send me a good and loving man.

Finally, the gentle grandmother of the Lord is everywhere invoked as one of the great helpers for various needs of body and soul. Many churches have been erected to her, most of them becoming famous centers of pilgrimages. St. Anne of the Sunset is one such place and every year pilgrims gather to pray, asking her intercession, for their particular intention. A Novena of prayers is made to her beginning on July 18 and concluding on her feast day, July 26.