One of the truly magnificent Shrines of Canada and the entire world is the Shrine of Sainte Anne-de-Beaupre. There are seven other shrines in Canada.
The Shrine is located 20 minutes east of picturesque Quebec City, Canada along the shores of the St. Lawrence River. Sainte Anne-de-Beaupre is one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in North America with close to one million pilgrims visiting the Shrine each year.
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The Shrine, also known as a Basilica, was built in memory of the First Church of Sainte Anne-de-Beaupre in 1658.
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I dedicate this Catholic Stand Column to my late mother, Maria Assunta Ruffolo who was very devoted to Mother Mary and had a very special devotion to Saint Anne who was the mother of Mother Mary and the GrandMother of Jesus Christ.
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I went on many pilgrimages to Sainte Anne-de-Beaupre with my late mother. Her maiden name was Cutelle and she came from France. I have many great memories of visiting the French Canadian Quebec City and the Shrine of Sainte Anne-de-Beaupre.
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According to legend, it is said that sailors making their way to Quebec City ended up shipwrecked on the St. Lawrence River. In devotion to Saint Anne, they built a Church to remain under her protection. She is the Patron Saint of sailors.
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Saint Anne is also the Patron Saint of Canada along with her husband Saint Joachim. They are also considered the Patron Saints of Grandparents. Their Feast Day is July 26.
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The Catholic Church has credited the Shrine with many many miracles and curing of the sick and disabled.
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Montmorency Falls at Mont Sainte-Anne is located 15 minutes from Old Quebec and is also an amazing historical site about ten or fifteen minutes away from the Shrine. It is 84 meters high and 276 feet. It’s 30 meters higher than Niagara Falls but not nearly as wide or powerful as at Montmorency Park.
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This year was a very special occasion for the Shrine with the visit of Pope Francis who celebrated the Mass at the Shrine on July 28, 2022. You pray to Saint Anne for courage and peace of mind and pray to her on behalf of all the suffering and sick people of the world.
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Native Americans are especially devoted to Saint Anne who of course is the ultimate elder, the Mother of the Virgin Mary, and the GrandMother of Jesus Christ.
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The Catholic Church has played a very important founding role in the history of Quebec. Many missionaries and religious came to Quebec in the beginning years of its founding to literally shape a new world.
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Vatican News had a headline stating, “St. Anne-de-Beaupre for all Quebec’s communities,” before the July visit of Pope Francis. Father Scott Katzenberger, the Rector of the Shrine said, “He was very excited about the Pope’s visit.” He continued, “he was very much looking forward to the Pope’s arrival.”
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Before the visit of Pope Francis, Father Scott told me, “his days are very full here lately.” He adds, “the balance of his day was spent in press conferences, meetings, television interviews and the last tour of the premises with the Liturgy and security teams from Rome.”
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According to Father Scott, “Pope Francis’s visit is the second time that a Pope has visited the Basilica.”He also says, “It will be an honour to have him here.” He adds, “the lion’s share of the crowd that has tickets for the Mass by Pope Francis are members from the indigenous community.”
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Father Scott says, Pope John Paul II’s visit to the Shrine in 1984, pointing out that inside the Church there is a mosaic on the floor that marks where he prayed before the Statue.”
Plan on making the Shrine of Sainte Anne-de-Beaupre your next pilgrimage destination!
Saint Anne pray for us and pray for Canada!
11 thoughts on “The Importance of the Shrine of Sainte Anne-de-Beaupre ”
from1938 we would travel to St Annes yearly from Springfield Ma. my dad would drive I would sleep on moms and dads lap .grandma and grandpapa in back of the car. Iwas 1 year old and this was yearly till i went in the service. when I married we brought our 2 children .I remember my parents buying blocke of stone for next years construction.
Irene, excellent comment! You hit the nail on the head. Good Saint Anne Pray for all Irene’s intentions.
Now more than ever mankind needs the intercession of the Healing Church of Sainte. Anne-de -Beaupre. This particular timeline of 2022, in our evolution on Earth has become exceedingly “Dark” —-so much so, that it seems to be turning into an an “EVILUTION”-with geopolitical tensions around the world creating unnecessary wars, chaos, and endless human suffering.
We pray to Sainte Anne to help us with her abundant grace, to give us the guidance , hope and strength needed to restore humanity in God’s image.
fantastic read! very informative.
Beautiful article. One day I hope to visit Canada and see this shrine .
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Thank you Joe for sharing your wonderful story about the Shrine of Sainte Anne-de-Beaupre. I hope others that have prayers answered at the Shrine share them with us.
Francisco…thank you for your wonderful story about your travels to Shine of Sainte Anne de Beaupre … your stories continue to inspire … thank you again
Great article Francisco. Look forward to reading more.
I particularly love the Basilica/Shrine of Sainte Anne-de-Beaupre and nearby Quebec City!
In the 1950s, women in their mid 30s were thought to be passed their time for marriage. My mom and a few lady friends who shared this “affliction” journeyed from Brooklyn, NY asking “good Saint Anne, find me a man.” Why wouldn’t Jesus’ grandma be concerned about what some might see as too mundane?
Shortly thereafter, my mom married my Irish born dad. One of her friends married my dad’s cousin. Including our own descendants, 20 of us are descended from those “passed their time” marriages.
One of my all time favorite movies is Alfred Hitchcock’s “I Confess.” One scene features the grounds of the Basilica/Shrine.
Like her neighbors to the South, let us pray that an abundance of Canadian re-discover their Catholic faith.
beautiful article francisco .