Santa Ana de Varennes (Basilique Sainte-Anne de Varennes)

Marian Advocation of Varennes (Quebec)
Recognized by the Church

The shrine of Sainte-Anne de Varennes is one of the oldest in Quebec. Its origins go back to a first chapel of the 17th century, linked to the French colonization of the San Lorenzo River. Over time it became an important place of pilgrimage to Santa Ana and was elevated to the rank of lower basilica; the exact date of the pontifical concession is not recorded in the summaries consulted, which place it in the 20th century. The complete chronology of the different stages of construction (chapels and reconstructions) also does not accurately consist in the sources of rapid access. It is located in the city of Varennes, Monterégie region, on the banks of San Lorenzo, near Montreal.

Main data

Origin and history

The shrine of Sainte-Anne de Varennes is one of the oldest in Quebec. Its origins go back to a first chapel of the 17th century, linked to the French colonization of the San Lorenzo River. Over time it became an important place of pilgrimage to Santa Ana and was elevated to the rank of lower basilica; the exact date of the pontifical concession is not recorded in the summaries consulted, which place it in the 20th century. The complete chronology of the different stages of construction (chapels and reconstructions) also does not accurately consist in the sources of rapid access. It is located in the city of Varennes, Monterégie region, on the banks of San Lorenzo, near Montreal.

The image and the sanctuary

It is one of the main sanctuaries dedicated to Sainte-Anne in Quebec, along with Sainte-Anne@-@ de-Beaupré. The basilica retains numerous offerings and testimonies of graces received and forms part of the historical spiritual landscape of New France.

Sponsorship and coronation

The title is Santa Ana, mother of the Virgin Mary. It is not a direct Marian invocation, but local piety closely unites the mother and daughter. The temple has a lower basilica range; the date of the concession is not recorded.

Party and devotion

The sanctuary hosts pilgrimages, especially around the 26th of July, the feast of Santa Ana. The pilgrimage guides mention that he has received numerous exvotes from faithful who attribute cures or favors to the intercession of Sainte-Anne; there is, therefore, a tradition of favors and exvotes, but specific cases with name, date and precise source are not reflected in the documentation consulted.

Link to the Rosary

The devotion to Saint Anne is Marian through the mother: Mary's mother is honored to approach the Virgin and Christ. In the sanctuaries of Santa Ana, the recitation of the Rosary and prayers to the Virgin is common, although specific regulations or co-fradies of Varennes do not reflect in the summaries consulted.