El Cajon, CA — The patroness of the Americas is Our Lady of Guadalupe. What better way to honor the Blessed Virgin of the New World than paying a visit to her mother, St. Anne? Along the bank of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada, the St. Anne de Beaupré Basilica has sat since construction began in 1667. Since then the shrine has received a ceaseless flow of pilgrims seeking miracles and marveling at its artistic splendor.
Though little is known about St. Anne’s life, her roles as the mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus are merit enough for veneration by the Catholic Church. Many claim miracles have been bestowed through the basilica of St. Anne. The conduit of these miracles is believed to be the statue of St. Anne brought by St. François de Laval in 1662, which still dwells in the shrine. The shrine is also home to a relic of St. Anne given to the basilica by Pope John XXIII.
Apart from the miraculous significance of the basilica, the architecture, craftsmanship, and artwork are breathtaking. After numerous rebuilds and expansions over the past 350 years, the basilica’s footprint is approximately 350 feet long by 300 feet wide, at the transept, with two 300-foot spires.
The façade of basilica is in the Romanesque Revival style. Immense copper doors, ornate statues, and the original statue of St. Anne bedeck the exterior of the shrine. The handmade double copper doors depict scenes from Jesus’ life.
Many figures in bas-relief decorate the façade. St. Anne in all her glory stands atop the doors. To her left and right are important moments in the movement of her devotion. The eye is drawn up to the rose window where the twelve apostles are gathered in groups of six along either side. Prominent figures in the life of St. Anne also adorn the basilica exterior in bas-relief.
The interior of the basilica has two levels. The upper level is the main nave. Two hundred and forty stained-glass windows, reminiscent of the Middle Ages, diffuse the sunlight. They complement the mosaic-covered ceiling, from which the mosaics extend down along the upper walls. The mosaics include scenes from the lives of St. Anne and Jesus, saints of Canada, and geometric and abstract designs. A mosaic illustrating the history of the Eucharist crowns the side chapels that surround the sanctuary. Hundreds of plants and animals carved into the wooden pews tell the story of creation. Depictions of man’s concupiscence and the seven capital sins can be observed down the center aisle and front entry.
The lower level houses the Immaculate Conception Chapel and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. A prominent statue of Mary is featured in the Immaculate Conception Chapel. Masses are celebrated multiple times a day in various locations throughout the basilica. Although other public devotions occupy the daily schedule, time remains for private devotions throughout the property. The extensive grounds include the Stations of the Cross. The atmosphere of the basilica is said to be one where “peace reigns.”
St. Anne de Beaupré Basilica is one of the oldest shrines in the Americas. For more information about pricing and availability on this excursion and the entire cruise, visit CatholicAnswersCruise.com.
— Richaél Smith
Photo by Didier Moïse
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
