The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is a basilica set along the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, 30 kilometres (19 miles) east of Quebec City. It has been credited by the Roman Catholic Church with many miracles of curing the sick and disabled. It is an important Catholic sanctuary which receives about a half-million pilgrims each year. The peak period of pilgrimage is around July 26, the feast of Saint Anne, the patron saint of Quebec.
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Legend
The basilica is known for performing many miracles, and people from all around the world come to visit the basilica. One of the builders had crutches but when he finished building the church, he was able to walk freely. Pillars in the front entrance are covered in crutches from people who have been said to have been miraculously cured.
History
The basilica in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré was initially a shrine to honour Saint Anne. It was built for two reasons: to provide a place of worship for the new settlers in the area [1]and to house a marvellous statue of St. Anne. [2]The first reported miracle at the site happened during the shrine’s construction. A man named Louis Guimond was hired to help build the shrine even though he suffered from rheumatism. After placing three stones upon the shrine’s foundation, Guimond was cured of all his ailments. [1] This was followed by other testimonies of healed people and the shrine soon grew in popularity. Many pilgrims came to the shrine hoping to receive a miracle while others like Anne of Austria supported the shrine from their homes. [3]
Because of the popularity of the shrine, the building was enlarged several times to accommodate all the pilgrims. In 1876, the first basilica opened for worship. The dimensions of the basilica, including the side chapels, were 158 × 77 m (200ʹ × 100ʹ). [4] The first basilica was destroyed in a fire on March 29, 1922 [1]. The present-day basilica was built on the site of the prior church in 1926.
Miracles are still believed to be performed at the basilica. When entering the church one can see two pillars filled with racks of crutches, canes, braces, and other signs of disabilities. Every item has been left by a pilgrim who reports being healed at the basilica.
The wooded hillside next to it has a memorial chapel and a Way of the Cross, with life-sized Stations of the Cross.
Church dimensions
- Total length : 105 meters (344 ft)
- Face width : 48 meters (157 ft)
- Transept width : 61 meters (200 ft)
- Steeple height : 91 meters (299 ft)
Notes
- ^ a b c Lebel, Jean-Marie; Ostiguy, Birgitte (1999), Saint Anne de Beaupré: An Inspiration, Les Editions du Chien Rouge
- ^ "Basilica of Sainte-Anne de Beaupré, Quebec". http://www.sacred-destinations.com/canada/sainte-anne-de-beaupre.htm. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
- ^ Morinis, Alan. "Pilgrimage". Canadian Encyclopaedia. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006291. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
- ^
"Sainte Anne de Beaupré" in the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Basilique Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré |
- Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
- Cardwell, Mark (2008-03-22). "Basilica a shrine for miracles". Montreal Gazette (canada.com). http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=ad0d06d6-b8db-49ef-b463-7699f49786cf. Retrieved 2008-03-22.
Coordinates: 47°01′26.69″N 70°55′42.46″W / 47.0240806°N 70.9284611°W
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