Historically speaking, we know very little about Saint Anne. The Bible says nothing about her, whereas other writings that circulated in the early Church speak about her at great length. The mosaic of the Basilica's central vault brings many accounts found in these early writings to life. However, devotion to Saint Anne is grounded in something that is historically certain: the Virgin Mary had a mother, and being the mother of the Virgin Mary and the grandmother of Jesus was a sufficient reason for the Church to have a great veneration and respect towards Saint Anne from the very beginning.

Important moments in her life

After 20 years of marriage, Anne had not yet given birth to a child. As a result, Joachim, her husband, withdrew to the desert. An angel appeared to them both, and told them that their desire to have a child would be fulfilled. They meet at the Golden Gate at the entrance of Jerusalem, and some time later, Anne gives birth to Mary.