CHAPTER 6: Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre
The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is set along the Saint Lawrence River and twenty miles northeast of Quebec City. It has been credited by the Catholic Church with many miracles of curing the sick and disabled. Land was first donated in 1658 for a shrine to honor Jesus' grandmother, Anne. Because of the popularity of the shrine, the building was enlarged several times to accommodate all the pilgrims. In 1876, the first basilica opened for worship. The original basilica was destroyed by fire in 1922. The basilica was rebuilt in 1926.
What a thrill to stand on the grounds which my grandfather, Stanislaus Morin (1862-1929) visited. My mother, Olive Morin (1914-1985) Roy recalled her father telling of the Basilica. She visited as a widow around 1980. Sister Veronica Roy wrote in the genealogy book, Ma Famille,
"Stanislas spoken often of wanting to return to visit St. Anne de Beaupre shrine. It is known he did return for one visit and to his home at St. Francis, Montmagny County, Quebec.
Even the floor has a story. It reminds us of our own limitations. The three concupiscences are depicted as you enter the central nave: honours, riches, and pleasures. In themselves, they are not bad things, as long as we use them in moderation. In the center aisle, the seven capital sins are represented by various animals.
St. Anne is believed to perform miracles. People from all around the world come to visit the basilica. One of the church's builders had crutches; when he finished his work on the church, he is said to have been able to walk freely. Pillars in the front entrance are covered in crutches from people who are said by the parishioners to have been miraculously cured and saved.(source: Wikipedia)