Anna of Phanuel
From the tribe of Asher. One of the mistresses of the novices of the Temple. As such, she will be for Mary. She is already elderly at the presentation of Mary at the Temple. She discerns Mary's exceptional vocation: "You would deserve to be the mother of the Christ". She has the joy of seeing the young Jesus presented at the Temple and consoles Mary, wounded by the announcement of her "co-redemption" by the old man Simeon.[1]
Both of them (Anna and Simeon) are part of those whom Jesus gives as examples:"By manifesting myself to them, who had the right Soul, I had sanctified them."[2]
Her name
Anna or Anne means "Grace, fConfessor" – Historical: Name of the mother of Samuel the prophet.
Where is she mentioned in the work?
EMV 6 EMV 8 EMV 10 EMV 11 EMV 12 EMV 13 EMV 32 EMV 32 EMV 645
Learn more about this character
There was also a prophetess, called Anna, who was the daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very old. She had lived seven years with the husband she had married in her youth, then, having become a widow, she had reached the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the Temple, but served God day and night: she fasted and prayed. She arrived at that same moment (Presentation at the Temple) and began to thank God. And she spoke about the child to all those who were waiting for God to deliver Jerusalem.[3]