New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-22
THE RELIC OF ST. ANNE.
CROWDS VISIT CHURCH OF ST. JEAN
BAPTISTE TO PRAY FOR HELP.

cure me; for thy glory, and the honor of Jesus in
the Blessed Sacrament.
This is the prayer that resounds in droning mono
tones hour after hour. through the crypt of the
little Church of ST. Jean Baptiste in East Seven
ty-sixth-st. Men. women and children praying
before the relic good St. Anne there. they
have done annually for the last eight years
Good St Anne, dear mother, pray for my girl!
Cure her. Heal her
Over and over the voice OF the priest intones. The
voices of the assembled people follow him in
fused murmur; and ever he prays the priest
passes up and down within the altar rail and pre-
sents the relic, in its little glass to the lips
Of the kneeling worshippers. When lame suf
ferng person is presented he passes the relic
the diseased parts. and when it is a much afflicted
subject he calls aloud TO the congregation. Pray
with met and begins once again his informing.
The novena begins half way down the block, with
stands Of small religious objects for sale to the
faithful Vocferous little boys sell buttons Of the
good St Anne"
Beneath the caves of the sanctuary the work
continues in rooms on both sides Of the vesubule.
In one neat salesgirl is selling little images and
devotional books cluciixes rosaries and pictures.
Across the hall sits Sister, who has charge Of the
membership in the Associates Of St Anne
A printed slip vouchssfes the following informa-
ton:
mass is celebrated every Tuesday, at $50
o'clock. at St Annes shrine for the spiritual and
TEMPORAL welfare Of the associates.
The contribution IS only 90 cents; The members
have share in the mass while living and after
Any person obtaining ten members receives the
A lamp burns continually before the relic Of St
Anne, as perpetual PRAYER IN favor OF promoters
Membership may be secured for any one, whether
Each associate participates in the prayers and
good works OF the other members
Those who wish TO share in this mass or. in
other words, become life members. should ma ke
application for particulars at the office at the
church.
By becoming life member. you also become
member Of the Confraternity OF St Anne, TO which
TO have right 70 these indugenees. a medal
venient place in the members abode
piacard in the vestibule announces: "A lamp
to burn in the shrine Of St Anne. for a novena
20 cents; for month. 81 for year SO"
Along the altar rail in the crypt are boxes with
the sign Drop 10 cents and light candle" and
each side great tables Of burning candles,
lighted by the devout.
A considerable portion Of the wall in the front
IF the crypt is occupied by small squares checked
on IN red, within which inscribed. in red let
ters, prayers thanks to the saint, signed by
name or initials.
Good St. Anne, spare my wife" says one Of
Shem. Good St Anne spare my child" say many
Of them. Thanks to St. Anne for sparing my
father" says grateful child; and Good St
Anne. keep my position permanent" prays sim
pie soul.
Two imposing collections Of crutches and canes
Ranked each side Of the altar yesterday. A young
Priest Who was in the pastoral raj Tes6Gnse next
IF you had been here three-quarters OF an hour
ago." he said a Tribune reporter, you would
have the boy take OF his braces and walk
away. You would have seen the joy Of his people
But the human interest" of the story, the note
that touched the great chords that yibrate through
an the hearts Of humanity. was the look on the
faces q the mothers they brought their chldren
20 the altar The good St Anne, has peculiarly
tender loving regard for children, and many
mothers come 10 her shrine each year bringing
their little afflicted They come leading chill
oren In crutches children in iron braces; children
IN plaster jackets; children with palsied linn lbs:
children who had never seen; others VINO had
never spoken heard
The faces Of the children were apathetlc as tnoSe
II such children are ant be; but on the faces
81 the mothers hone, fear. anxiety ana lfeInDhhs
love shone through and iTradiated plain features.
ana when the priest reached a chiid ana IN 10"
tones its mother told him Of the ch;ld,s aiic-
ton, and he hogan TO pass the sacred relic over
tne diseased parts. and 10 pray aiouo TOT tle
chic. an emotion Tapt and tender Woun Soiheties
oFefspread the mothers face.