Santa Ana de Beaupré

Marian Advocation of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré (Quebec)
Recognized by the Church

The shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, near the city of Quebec, is dedicated to Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus. Tradition places its origins in the early days of New France, and over the centuries it became one of the most important pilgrimage shrines in North America, associated with numerous cures and miracles attributed to the intercession of St. Anne. Its columns, covered with devotees and crutches left by pilgrims, are a popular testimony to that fame of graces received.

Main data

Origin and history

The shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, near the city of Quebec, is dedicated to Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus. Tradition places its origins in the early days of New France, and over the centuries it became one of the most important pilgrimage shrines in North America, associated with numerous cures and miracles attributed to the intercession of St. Anne. Its columns, covered with devotees and crutches left by pilgrims, are a popular testimony to that fame of graces received.

It should be noted that this is not a Marian advocation in the strict sense, but a cult of the mother of the Virgin; because of her relationship with Mary, her devotion is an inseparable part of Marian history and is included here with that distinction.

The image and the sanctuary

The place is a great sanctuary and small basilica dedicated to Santa Ana. Piety focuses on the cult of the relics of Santa Ana and in his venerated image; no consta an autonomous miraculous Marian image as the main object of devotion, for the focus of the sanctuary is the figure of the Lord's grandmother. The whole is a continental pilgrimage destination.

Sponsorship and coronation

Santa Ana was proclaimed patron of the province of Quebec in 1876. No consta a canonical coronation of a Marian image in this sanctuary; the Marian cult here is indirect, through the mother of the Virgin.

Party and devotion

The main party is the 26 July, the feast of St. Anne (and of St. Joaquin, husbands and fathers of Mary). The great pilgrimages are concentrated around that date. Devotion is especially living among families, sick and peoples of North America who come to ask for the intercession of the grandmother of Jesus.

Link to the Rosary

The devotion to Saint Anne prepares and accompanies the devotion to her daughter: the Virgin came to the world through Saint Anne, and the Virgin, the Savior. The pilgrims often accompany their visit to the sanctuary with the prayer of Rosary, meditating that salvation was forged within a humble family - that of Joaquin and Anne - chosen to give the world to the Mother of God.