Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
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 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.
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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 Catholic Church had to enlarge the building 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, or Stations of the Cross.
Church dimensions
- Total length : 105 m
- Face width : 48 m
- Transept width : 61 m
- Steeple height : 91 m
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". Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ Morinis, Alan "Pilgrimage". Canadian Encyclopaedia. Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^
"Sainte Anne de Beaupré" in the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia.
External links
- http://www.ssadb.qc.ca/en/index.htm
- Cardwell, Mark (2008-03-22). "Basilica a shrine for miracles", Montreal Gazette, canada.com. Retrieved on 22 March 2008.
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