New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-06
THE "LOURDES- or CANADA.

| PILGRIMAGES TO ST. ANN DU NORD.
| SITUATION AND HISTORY or THE cHURCH-Ils IN
| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PHGIIMs-rnE CONVENT.
IRON AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT oF TIE TKrBUsEi
QUEBEC, Sept. 27.-As one looks down the st.
Lawrence River from Quebec, the long line OF Lauren
tan hills round themselves into knob, more proni-
nent than all the Others. save Cap Tourmente, and
known NJ Mount At its foot lies the little VII
age parish OF st. Ann du hord. called to dstin
ish 1t from place farther up tho river, which also
bears the OF The same saint
II this little nook in the hills had nothing to recon-
mend 1t but its beauty, would still bc interesting. but
IA IL has for thousands OF CanadIns vastly greater
attractions than the adjoining parishes Of equal beauty
think short description Of 1t may Interest TRIBUNE
readers.
The parish founded 200 years md soon
after its establishment it the Of o miracle.
an event 80 accepted by the persons concerned family
of some local renOwn. believe, in sailing the river,
WAS oyerten violent Storm and when just opposite
st. AIMS they were shipwrecked. They appealed ~
81. Ann for aid. promising 10 erect church I'm her
name her honor IL she would ntercede for them.
They were saved and made their promise good by bui
ing church upon this hillside. and that
pilgrims have focked thitncr annually 81. AIMS
Day the Goth OF july, III numbers almost incredible.
This year between 1900 and 10000 people attended
Mass the little church within the two or three weeks
proceeding and following the SAINTS Day or course
many visit the place from motives OF curiosity, and
must confess that that motive alone being PrOesanO
induced co. and while respected tire devotion OF
the sincere was amazed At their bnl faith what
might less gently term their superstition
We left Quebec after day break in order that the
boat load Of pilgrims might reach St. AIMS in time for
Mas au the trip 20 miles down thest Lawrenccon
warm July morning is truly delightful one. Reaching
the head OF the Isle OF Orleans took the north chan
mel and steamed down between the island and hc north
Shore having charming panorama on either sides of u.s.
The island at this season presents beautifully nndulai
Ing surface covered vita wetllod farms and gardens,
for to Quebec looks for much OF Ito market supplies
Upon the north shore the hills crowd In close 10 the river
leaving Only narrow bottom Land for farms. Bu. what
little there Is, il put 10 use, and the intense
heat OF the short Canadian Summer has
clothed every available spot with yerdure. Every
few miles is pretty village, clinsing to the
hillside, clustering around its handsome church. which
stands out pietuesquey against the morning sky. AFTER
two or three hours landed at ~. AIMS and disom-
barked uDon pier which stretches out long. tide
washed meadow nearly half mile I. was hung aith
banners, conspicuous among which was the Popes, and
under these took way toward the church. We
found it, both without and Within bearing the evidence
Of Its age its walls being badly c,acSea. though still
sidered safe. and tho floors ard benches much
Ths church VIII soon. however, be preserved oniy az
relic of the past Tor between and the river IA rising
Of the most beautiful churches ever The walls
we're up and ready for the cOince when visited tho
parish and ID it, completion Is successful It's begin
ming II will be cdhcc to delight the eye OF every be-
oldrr with the pnrlt OF ITS on'ne' ana 40 an example
Uf pcffefI Afrrltn III 10 NODfo
collection al cost OF SloOOOO.
Within the old church, which dates back sbout go
years superb altar picture by L. Brun representing
the teaching Of the Holy Virgin by her mother SAINT
Anne. 1t s the only good paintn; in the church. At
the side aud the Other, Is "A cross beEsin; lfo
sized Christ aud this almost away from
constant whiting by tho worshpcro, who believe that
In possessing fragment Of the wood they have pre-
cious roic which will be Invaluable 10 them. The altar
is decorated with costly offerings from terens sources.
and prominent among then is a silver cruciix gye, by
iouis XIV The robes belonging the church yalu-
able bJth from richness and association. piece being
made and presented by Ammo OF Austria. On
the 26th Of July magnificent banner. to
be hung in the new church dedicated
IL il n piece OF rare workmanship ana cost In gold
81 200 rae work Is from the hands Of tue Gray Nuns oi
,obec, and II t0Uk ten Ot t,h IA three motAs
b older the wonderful fabric. 80 10 TINS reDn senis
LABOR OF and HalG These dry Otocs worked
d. aud night upon tie banner giving ihcnse.e e. only
the rie'st lime for sleep ana prayer ana 80 decate
from side. aud tins lte pro ,g's Of th' convent SIT
under the embroidery frames 10 pau the nc, dies through
aud scnd them back again - niicd Tor lie Church "
SAINT Anne
The plyrlms who go thore are afflicted wiz, eye,.
dselse real and ma mary and Inspired to hope Tor
relief the sight OF the hundreds OF cruiohos which
hang around the church, and ~ the stories Of Tie
full performed there. The morning party
visited he famous place, attention attracted by
sick girl, who carried by her father the boat
to the little eobyen. whore abe wait until she
could be conveyed 60 the church. She followed by
her mother aud upon the OF the three WIS look OF
hope and fear stran ely mingled. They bore the cyl
dence OF great poverty, and the trip from Montreal o
distance OF 200 miles. had probably taxed the poor
fahers purse only less severely than 1t had taxed tho
strength the halfrad girl he hed arms She was
about years old. and years had been thrown
from wagon and her back badly injured that shs
never walked since. We were at once sadiened AMI
Interested the spectacle that followed the party to
the convent glad for opportunity study creature
80 stricken and yet faithful At the convent she rested
in easy chair, and sat with her praycrbOos tightly
clasped In her hands while her lips constantly moved IA
prayer Her face refined aud identified by aicLou
and patieuee and her rapt exalted look showed her
thoughts be far away from her surroundings when
time her 70 church. her father took her
up mOrr and led the way They seated themselves
bench the altar nd the mass began. Hundreds
eyes xod upon her she recei ed the sacrament
when II supposed shc would get up and walk from
the church. But she str0ye In vain; she was still
cripple. Tier NOM ntlry despair banlshcd by tho
supporting belief that II she waited until 81 AIMS Day
which would the next week, her would no
insured And here lost sight OF her and her hut
did not hear OF any miracle being performed On
july 20, II H. safe to presume she carried back to
Montreal helpless as she One Of tie sights"
Of the church Is relic OF st. Ann minute piece Of the
wrist bone, which pronounced genuine by tLosc hgh "a
church authority. IL II mounted in small crystal
anu silver case. aud tho pilgrims have tho priv
iIese Of meeling aud kissing tins precious ree
ia water from little spring also supposed 10 ~ blessed
by the sanity paroncss, aud tho faithful drink
a muchisei aud very uninYtngloo un cup. The
hight OF the pilgrimage nearly All the houses I'm the VIII
lae opened To guests but the fyorte place
II the qain ola convent win us tou rres wh0H Tor
nearly two centuries have overlooked the 81 Iawrne
In IL you waited upon by the sweetfaced hard
worked aud IL presides that genius Of
and quiet which seems To rest upon all converts.