According to the ancient tradition, Saint Joachim and Saint Anne brought their daughter Mary, still a child, to the Temple in Jerusalem and enrolled her in the Temple's school. This pious tradition is honored by the Church with a special feast celebrated on November 21.

The priests and levites used to run a regular school in the Temple for the main purpose of instructing the children of pious Jews in the reading and understanding of the Scriptures. Because it was conducted more or less like a boarding school, the children had ample time and opportuninty to grow not only in the knowledge but also in the practice of all the detailed prescriptions of Judaism. Living in or around the Temple's precincts, the children grew and developed in a highly intense religious atmosphere that deeply fostered a sincere love of Yahweh.

That Mary and Joseph were husband and wife is borne out by the testimony of the Gospels. However, the details of their engagement and wedding can be found only in non-scriptural books which are at best doubtful in historical value. According to one of these, when Mary reached the marriageable age, the High Priest tried to find a worthy spouse for her. Many eligible young men presented themselves, but God manifested His choice by making Joseph's staff blossom overnight. Thus, Saint Joseph is represented here with a staff which has blossomed into lilies, symbols of his purity.

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