New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-17
ST. AIMS N0VENA TODAY
Thousands of Afflicted Will Seek
"Favor" of Relic.
NINE DAYS PILGRIMAGE
Miraculous Cures Are Recorded
in Annals Of st. Jean
Baptiste Church.

Inc fafnerS or the MOST BisSseu SUITE
ment. who have been the keepers Of the
precious relic Of St. Ann since 1900. were
tireess yesterday in their preparations for
the opening OF the annual novena Of 81.
Ann to-day when thousands Of worship
pers will begin the nine days pilgrimage
TO the shrine where the relic Is kept in the
little Church OF ST Jean Baptiste. in East
18th street. The crippled the blind and
the afflicted IN body and soul will come
az in previous years. 20 seek the ''favors
OF the sanity relic By pressing II TO their
lips and having n applied 20 their ailins
members by the priests.
Many miraculous cures are recorded IN
the annals Of the church as a result Of the
application OF the relic. The cures ars
spoken of by the priests Of the order OK
the Blessed Sacrament as "favors' OBJ
tanned from God through the intercession
Of St Ann. Two large racks filed with
crutches, braces and other implements
used by the deformed stand on either side
~ the shrine Of St Ann. in the basement
Of the church, as mute testimonials OF tho
efficacy OF the powers Of the relic. The
priests said yesterday that they had
burned hundreds of these tokens Of mis-
shapen humanity, which were left after ths
pilgrimage Of last year
The novena. or nine days Of prayer. 10
held in preparation FOR the feast Of St
Ann on Wednesday. July %. The celebra-
ton OF the novena TINS pear has a pecui'
iary pleasant significance TO the priests
OF the order OF the Blessed Sacrament az
this little church. as II marks a years
progress toward the construction or a large
new church OF 81. Jean Baptiste almost
directly across the street from the present
small brick edifce The gifts OF money re-
ceived during this novena will be applied
10 the FUND for the new church.
New Church to Cos. s75o,0oo.
Starting without funds. but with the
profound belief that Divine Providence
would provide this little band Of devotess
fearlessly pledged themselves year ago
10 build great new church, which would
be the purest example OF the classic ho-
man STYLE in this city. the total cost OK
which was estimated az $1,000. They have
accomplished much within years time.
| All Of the property on the site needed Tor
the new church. at the southeast corner
OF Lexington avenue and 18th street. has
been acquired. and the excavating work TOT
the building is nearly completed.
The new church Will be a receptacle for
| the relic or ST. Ann. II is 20 be built IN
/ the shape OF a Latin cross. with three
nayes and dome The structure Will %
/ lS feet long and 90 feet wide. and will seat
! $50 persons The facade on lexington
avenue will be es feet wide. with twin tow
ers 80 feet high.
- ara- Ia Gf
| thousands were turned away who were IN
/ able 20 reach the altar rail and receive the
| special dispensation from the relic Of 81.
Ann, the priests said yesterday During
ths last day OF the novena the police
estimated that fully fifty thousand persons
sought entrance 70 the little church. The
adjoining streets were crowded with a
slow moving mass Of people converging
toward the doors OF the lower church.
where the relic is enshrined. The utter
| lack OF accommodations for those who de-
! sired 10 worship at the shrine OF the saint
! led the Fathers OF the Most Blessed Sacra-
ment TO begin the serious project Of build
/ ing a new church.
Relic Brought Here from France.
The relic Of st Ann Is a portion Of one
/ Of the small bones Of her wrist which was
brought from France twenty years ago by
/ the French Canadian priests then In charge
Of the church here. II has been exposed
! 70 the generation OF the faithful and APP
/ Piled 10 the sick every day since that time
at certain hours OF the day. During the
novena il is applied all day long from
a. m 10 p. m. and II is during this nine
/ day period. the priests say, that the great
est number OF "favors' are accomplished.
A considerable revenue is received each
year from persons who pay modest sum
10 have lamps burning for them in ~.
! AIMS sanctuary. The proceeds from thls
source are applied 20 the work or the
priests in their church II costs 81 20 keep
a lamp burning during the period of a
| novena The altar around the shrine OF
! St Ann where the relic reposes IN .
! handsomely wrought gold and silver box.
was brilliantly Illuminated last night oy
! hundreds Of these little lamps Many OF
/ them were lighted at mdnlght 70 puIn
! no 1iue davS OF uraVer.