Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré |
|
|---|---|
|
Basilique Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
|
|
Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
|
|
 Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Location in Central Quebec
|
|
| 47°01′27″N 70°55′42″W / 47.02417°N 70.92833°W | |
| Location | Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec |
| Country | Canada |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Status | Basilica |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architectural type | Norman-Gothic, Romanesque Revival |
| Completed | 1946 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 105 m (344 ft) |
| Width | 48 m (157 ft) |
| Spire height | 91 m (299 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | |
| Type: | Recognized heritage immovable |
| Designated: | 2001 |
| Reference #: | 93392 |
The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré (which means Basilica of Saint Anne of Beaupré in French) is a very important church in Quebec, Canada. It sits right next to the beautiful Saint Lawrence River, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) east of Quebec City. This basilica is one of Canada's eight special national shrines. Many people believe that Saint Anne has performed miracles here, healing sick and disabled visitors.
Every year, about half a million pilgrims (people who travel for religious reasons) visit this amazing place. Many come around July 26, which is the feast day of Saint Anne. She is known as the patron saint of sailors.
Contents
History of the Basilica
The First Shrine and Miracles
The story of the Basilica began as a small shrine built to honor Saint Anne. In 1658, a settler named Étienne de Lessard gave some land to the Catholic Church. He wanted a chapel built there. This chapel became the spot where the large basilica stands today. The chapel was built for the new settlers and to hold a special statue of Saint Anne.
The first reported miracle happened while the shrine was being built. A man named Louis Guimont, who had rheumatism, helped with the construction. After he placed three stones on the shrine's foundation, he was completely cured! More stories of healing followed, and the shrine quickly became very popular.
Growing Popularity and New Buildings
Many pilgrims came to the shrine hoping for a miracle. Even important people like Anne of Austria, who was the Queen of France, supported the shrine from far away. Because so many people visited, the building had to be made bigger several times.
In the late 1800s, a much larger church, called a basilica, was built around the original shrine. This first basilica opened in 1876.
Fire and Rebuilding the Basilica
Sadly, this first basilica was destroyed in a big fire on March 29, 1922. The current basilica was then built on the same spot, starting in 1926. Several architects worked together on the design from 1923 to 1931.
After the Great Depression ended, work on the inside of the church started again in 1937. The entire building was finally finished in 1946.
Modern Day Miracles and Memorials
Today, people still come from all over Canada and the United States to visit. Many believe that miracles still happen at the basilica. Near the entrance, you can see two tall pillars. These pillars are filled with crutches, canes, and braces. Each item was left by a pilgrim who says they were healed at the basilica.
Next to the basilica, there is a wooded hillside. Here you can find a special chapel for remembering people. There is also a "Way of the Cross" with life-sized statues showing the Stations of the Cross. Higher up the hill is the Convent of the Redemptoristines, built in 1906. It was made a historic site in 2001, but it is no longer used as a convent.
Basilica Architecture
The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is a very large building. It is about 105 meters (344 feet) long and 48 meters (157 feet) wide. The widest part, called the transept, is 61 meters (200 feet) across. The tall steeple of the building reaches 91 meters (299 feet) into the sky.
Inside the Basilica
A famous artist named Joseph-Émile Brunet designed many beautiful parts of the basilica's interior. In 1948, he created 24 special stone carvings for the tops of the pillars. These carvings show 52 different religious scenes from the life of Jesus.
Brunet also sculpted 14 "Stations of the Cross" that line the walls of the cathedral. At the entrance, you can see stone statues of Saint Anne and other saints. He also made the fountain outside the basilica. Inside, in special wall niches, you can find 7-foot-tall stone sculptures of important figures like Marie de L'Incarnation, Saint Joseph, and Joachim. There is also a bronze sculpture of Kateri Tekakwitha.
See also
In Spanish: Basílica de Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupr%C3%A9 para niños
