The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-08-30

to experience the merciful effects of the
goodness and the powers of ST. Anne
Afflicted with rheumatism, he went
through devotion to place some stones
in the foundation of the new church,
the construction of which was just
commencing, and he found himself sud-
denly cured. In 1862 another and more
striking cure took place. Marie Esther
Ramage, also of Petit Cap, was stricken
with an intirmity which for eighteen
months kept the poor invalid so bent
and doubled up as to render her unable
to straighten herself in the least She
had given up all hope of being cured by
human means, but remembering what her
husband had related about the instanta-
neous cure of Louis Guimont, of which
he had been an eye witness, she began
to invoke st. Anne in order to obtain
the same favor. At this very moment
she was able to stand erect and to walk
as we'll as before her intirmity. These
miracles were followed at intervals and
continue to this day, SO we were told.
Just inside the church are several pyr-
amids of crutches, canes, high heeled
shoes, braces and other appliances used
by cripples which have been deposited
there by persons who claimed to be
cured through invoking st. Anne.
In 1878, in spite of the great desire
to preserve it, the old church, which
threatened to fall into ruin, was taken
down and converted into chapel on
the same spot; constructed from the
same material, ornamented with the
same furniture, and surmounted with
the old steeple and bell of 1894. Thy
chapel contains, beside the main and
side altars of the original church, the
old pulpit, curiously carved, and many
ancient and curious paintings. There
are also deposited in the main altar
some relics of the martyrs of the first
century.
e By collective letter of the 18th of
May, 1872, His Grace the Archbishop
and the Bishops Of the Province of
4
province to contribute by their offer
ings to the erection of the new sanctu-
ary The sums received from one end
of the country to the other were con-
siderable. The church was solemnly
blessed, and opened for public worship
ron Une i7tf Of October, 1876. III was
consecrated with imposing ceremonies
on the 10th of May, 1885, by His Emf
nence Cardinal Traschereau, in the
presence of ten bishops and a large
number of the clergy. 1t has been in
charge of the Redemptorist Fathers
since 1878.
The edifce is of Corinthian architec-
ture, and measures two hundred feet in
length, with height of fifty-six feet
internally, by one hundred and five feet
in breadth. The towers are one hum
dred and sixty-eight feet in height. In
the facade there are three entrance
doors fanked by f1uted columns with
pediments. Over each door is slab
on which are carved the three theo-
logical virtues Faith, Hope and
Charity. The whole is surmounted by
a colossal statue of st. Anne, carved in
wood and copper gilt. This statue is
fourteen feet in height and is of great
beauty.
The pilgrim who enters for the first
time into the church of ST. Anne de
Beaupre is Immediately impressed with
the richness and grandeur Of the edi-
flee. To the majestic proportions and
elegance of the Corinthian architecture
is added the striking effect of the most
appropriate decorations. The ensemble
of the decoration is grand and religious
in it's character.
The most striking object on entering
the church is the main altar, a magnif-
cent piece of work in white marble.
covered by canopy also in marble and
brass, supported by columns. The face
of the altar has two exquisite carvings.
one in particular, that Of "The Last
!, SUPPER being masterpiece.
The three carvings in the panels.
below are representations of the "Three
Sacrifices The chancel stalls are
handsomely carved, as is also the
bishops throne. The communion-rail is
in marble, magnifcently carved, and is
said to be more handsome and elaborate
than anything of the kind even among
the great churches in Europe.
The beautiful carved and decorated
statue of st. Anne with the Virgin, that
stands in the center of the middle aisle.
a few feet from the communion-rail, on
an elegant polished column of Mexican
onyx, comes from Ghent, in Belgium.
According to an ancient custom of the
Roman pontiffs, in the case of celebrat-
ed shrines, this statue was solemnly
blessed by His Eminence Cardinal