The New Testament makes no mention of the place, date or circumstances of Mary's birth. However, her parents are mentioned in the apocryphal Gospel of James. It tells us that Mary was the daughter of Anne and Joachim and that her birth was a miracle. According to the text, Anne was barren and Joachim withdrew into the desert to implore heaven to give him offspring. Just when all seemed to be in vain, an angel appeared to Anne and then to Joachim, announcing that they would soon give birth to a child.