By Alice Huth-Derrah
Just 20 miles north of Quebec City, Canada is the charming little town of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre′, which is the site of one of North America’s most spectacular national shrines, the Basilique Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre′. This basilica, located along the beautiful St. Lawrence River, welcomes more than a half million visitors each year. Some of these come in search of the opportunity to take in the breathtaking views, while others are seeking a chance to heal. Shortly after Easter this year, I too journeyed to the basilica and experienced a kind of healing I wasn’t even aware I needed at the time.
The history of the basilica begins with the arrival of French settlers in the 1600’s who brought with them an unwavering devotion to St. Anne, who is the mother of Mary, the Blessed Mother of Jesus. Legend has it that French Breton sailors, after encountering a severe storm, prayed to St. Anne to spare their lives. After landing safely, they vowed to build a place of worship on the spot. In 1658, French settler Etienne de Lessard donated two acres of his property “to the Catholic Church for the purpose of building a chapel” and to house a shrine dedicated to St. Anne. During the construction of the shrine, Mr. Louis Guimont came and “placed three small stones in the foundations” and reported being cured of his debilitating rheumatism. It was the first of many miracles attributable to St. Anne’s intervention. Thousands of pilgrim’s journey to the site every year, often arriving on July 26 to coincide with the feast day of St. Anne, and reports of miraculous cures continue to the present day.
The construction of the first basilica was completed in 1876 and, after being destroyed by a fire fifty years later, the current basilica was built. The site of the basilica also houses a Visitor’s Center, a Memorial Chapel, the Way of the Cross, the Scala Santa (a replica of the Holy Stairs), and the Convent of the Redemptoristines (which is no longer in use). The beautiful “St. Anne’s Fountain” in front of the basilica lovingly depicts St. Anne holding Blessed Mary as an infant in her arms and is a peaceful greeting to visitors.
Built in the Romanesque-Gothic style (in the shape of a cross), the basilica is adorned with two awe-inspiring 300-foot-high bell towers. Directly above the main entrance between these bell towers is a golden statue of St. Anne, who appears to be gazing down upon visitors. After entering through the massive double bronze doors, a feeling of the divine, of an absolute goodness and peace, came over me. My attention became fixed on two huge pillars rising up to the ceiling which were both covered with the crutches, walkers, pictures and other objects left behind by the faithful as literal testimonials to their miracles of healing. The beauty and immensity of the cathedral, with mosaic tiles on the floor, soaring stained glass windows all around, and wooden pews that “can accommodate 9,000 worshippers” almost overwhelms the eyes. The lower level houses many beautiful paintings, statues of saints, and several chapels, including the Immaculate Conception Chapel containing a replica of The Pieta, The Blessed Sacrament Chapel, and St. Anne’s Chapel, where relics of St. Anne can be viewed.
My journey to the basilica had been a spur of the moment decision. Pope Francis had just passed away and suddenly the world seemed dimmer. Without truly realizing it, the worries, frustrations, and fears about the current state of humanity and the happenings in the world had begun to weigh on my soul. I had left home with an intangible uneasiness and had returned with a renewed feeling that I could manage whatever was out there. My faith had needed a lift, and my visit to this magnificent basilica had acted like a soothing balm for my sad spirit. The journey reminded me that I have within me, as we all do, God-given strength to continue to “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12), and in so doing fortify hope.
