Saint Anne's Shrine facts for kids
Saint Anne's Shrine is a special Roman Catholic place in Isle La Motte, Vermont. It sits right on the edge of Lake Champlain. This shrine is a peaceful spot where people can visit, pray, and learn. It's located a few miles south of the border between Canada and the U.S..
History of Saint Anne's Shrine
Long ago, in 1666, a fort called Fort Sainte Anne was built on Isle La Motte. Its main job was to protect Montreal from attacks by the Iroquois people. Both the fort and its small chapel were named after Saint Anne, who is known as the mother of the Virgin Mary.
This fort was also the place where the very first Catholic Mass was held in Vermont. In 1668, François de Laval, who was a bishop from Quebec, visited Isle La Motte. He came to baptize many Iroquois people into Christianity. Even after the fort was no longer used, people still came to the shrine for Mass. The fort was destroyed sometime between 1670 and 1690. Today, a path called the Way of Calvary at the Shrine shows where the fort once stood.
Much later, in 1892, Louis de Goesbriand bought the land where Fort Saint Anne once stood. He was the Bishop of Burlington and wanted to save this important historical site. A small chapel was then built there. Father Joseph Kerlidou became the first director of St. Anne's Shrine. He dug up parts of the site and found old items like knives, buttons, and pottery. These items show that not only French people but also Native Americans lived there long ago. Some of these artifacts are now on display at St. Anne's.
What You Can See Today
Today, the shrine is managed by the Edmundite Fathers. They work together with the Diocese of Burlington. The shrine hosts many different events. These include spiritual retreats, special trips called pilgrimages, and the yearly Diocesan Family Day Mass.
During July and August, Mass is held daily at 11:15 AM. The Retreat Center is open all year round. It can host up to 86 guests each night. The meeting area and dining room can hold up to 150 people.
The shrine's grounds are open to everyone all year. You can explore a chapel, a grotto (a small cave-like area), and many statues. There are also peaceful reflection gardens and a beach. Visitors can walk through a special memorial. Here, you can learn about local history. There is also a statue of Samuel De Champlain, a famous explorer.
The Welcome Center is a helpful building that offers space when the weather is bad. The Cafe and History Room are open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. They are open Wednesday to Friday and Sunday from 10 AM to 2 PM. On Saturdays, they are open from 12 PM to 5 PM. They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
