Saint Anne

Saint Anne de Beaupre

Anne (known as "Hannah" in Hebrew) was the mother of Mary, who gave birth to Jesus. She and her husband, Joachim, were childless for many years. Both of them were deeply troubled by the fact they had no offspring and Anne spent a significant amount of time praying for a child. She promised the Lord that if he answered her prayers, that she would dedicate her child's life to the Lord's service.

Anne's prayers were answered; both she and her husband were visited by an angel who told them that they would have a child together and that their offspring "shall be blessed by all the world".

St. Anne is now known as the patroness of the province of Quebec and of women in labor. Her feast day is observed on July 26.

An important religious shrine is Canada's St. Anne de Beaupré. It is located near the St. Lawrence River, about 20 miles from Quebec City. The first church on the site was built in 1658. The present-day basilica was consecrated by Cardinal Maurice Roy on July 4, 1976.

It is said that more than a million pilgrims visit this sacred site each year. It is known as a place of peace and healing. Many people are said to have been healed from a variety of afflictions during visits to the shrine. In fact, as one enters the church, one is drawn to the presence of two large stone pillars. These pillars are covered from floor to ceiling with the discarded braces, canes, and even folded wheelchairs of those who were made whole during their visit. The sight of these items is completely awe-inspiring, whether one is a member of the Roman Catholic faith or not.

The first miracle attributed to St. Anne de Beaupré occurred in 1658, when a crippled workman was healed. Shortly thereafter, a group of sailors made it safely to shore during a storm. The accounts of healing miracles attributed to the intercession of St. Anne have continued from that point right up to the present day.