Sainte Anne de Beaupré
Tucked between rolling hills and farm lands, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is a quaint, historical village located 35 kilometers (20 miles) northeast of Québec City. Situated at the junction of the Saint Anne River and the Saint Lawrence River (le fleuve Saint-Laurent), this tiny village has a healthy historical and religious background associated with it.
The village is a prominent place for Roman Catholics to make a pilgrimage. Home to the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré (named for the patron saint of sailors, which the village is also named after), the village attracts more than one million pilgrims every year eager to explore this major Catholic shrine. With a rich history dating back to 1658, the village has been regarded as a place of miracles and healing for centuries. Aside from the basilica, there are numerous other religious edifices spread throughout the village to visit as well. One of the most popular is the Scala Santa, an imitation of the Holy Stairs in Rome, Italy. The village also holds the only copy of Michelangelo’s Pietà, the original is located in the Vatican City, Italy.
History
In 1658 the first church was built by early settlers and sailors who would often become shipwrecked off Ile-Oeuf on their way to Québec City. In the Roman Catholic faith, St.Anne is considered to be the patron saint of sailors. After the 8th century, devotion to St.Anne began increasing in the West and at the time of the settlement of Québec City, St. Anne was very popular in France. This first church was built to house a statue of St. Anne and three decades after the church’s completion, the village had become a local pilgrimage site. These pilgrimages were based in large part on the first miracle associated with the basilica. It is said that one of the builders of the original church, Louis Guilmont, had severe scoliosis, forcing him to use a crutch even while working. When the church was completed, however, he was able to walk independently. Soon after, a group of sailors were delivered safely to shore during a horrible storm. Since then, pilgrims from all over the world have come to pray at the basilica. Many have left their canes, crutches, and walking aides behind as proof of their healing.
Over time the church has been burnt and rebuilt for a multitude of reasons. By the late 1800s the crowds were began to overwhelm the church. In 1876 the first Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré was opened for worship. That same year, Saint Anne was proclaimed the patron saint of Québec. In 1892 a relic of St.Anne was sent to the basilica by the pope. Making a short lay-over in New York, an epileptic was reportedly cured, and American pilgrimages to the basilica increased tremendously. The basilica standing today was completed in 1926, replacing the first basilica, and hosts a dazzeling array of treasures for visitors to admire.
What to See in the Basilica
- 18th century sculpture and artwork
- 240 stained glass windows
- The mosaics covering the ceiling and sides of the church, which depict the life of St.Anne, the saints of Canada, and 88 scenes from the life of Christ.
- The ends of the wooden pews, which tell the story of the Creation.
- The miraculous statue of St.Anne, which is carved from a massive single piece of oak. It is colorfully painted and wears a gold crown with diamonds, rubies, and pearls.
- The main wall of the basilica, which is completely covered with crutches, canes, and folded wheelchairs of those that have been healed.
- The St.Anne Museum, tracing the history of devotion to St.Anne with artifacts and exhibits.
Sainte Anne's Basilica
Within the village, the basilica is the centerpiece of a large shrine complex, which includes several more chapels, a holy well, a life-size set of the Stations of the Cross, and a replica of the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) in Rome.
Depending upon the intent of your visit, you may want to plan your visit around the special occasions the village hosts:
The largest pilgrimages to the village occur around the Feast of St.Anne (July 26) and the Sunday closest to the feast of the Nativity of Mary (September 8).
The First Nations pilgrimage is held each June, a tradition that goes back to the 1700’s.
Since the basilica is still active, each day offers an average of 8 masses, plus a public Rosary, Way of the Cross, blessing of the sick with a relic of St.Anne, and a candlelight procession.
The shrine maintains a pilgrim hostel (the Basilica Inn), as well as facilities for the sick and handicapped. You can also purchase unique souvenirs and gifts at the Church Store.
For more information, please contact:
Phone: (418) 827.3781
Website: www.ssadb.qc.ca
Lodging:
Motel au Bord du Fleuve: Offering beautiful panoramic views over the Saint Lawrence River, and comfortable, inexpensive accommodation.
Location: 9290 Boulevard Sainte-Anne in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Contact: (418) 827-4316
Website: www.motelauborddufleuve.com\\
