The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-07-25
ROMAN CATHOLICS FLOCK
TO RELIC OF ST. ANNE
Large Number of Pilgrims Visit Illinois
Village.

Kankakee, Ill, July 25.-The novena
OF Saint Anne. in the quaint village of
st. Anne, II miles southeast Of here, as
preparation for the celebration OF her
feast day and the annual pilgrimage,
began July Is.
This is the thirty.first year of these
devotions. their origin dating to 1886,
when a large number OF pilgrims from
Chicago under the leadership of Rev.
Bergeron Of Notre Dame church made
the first pilgrimage.
They had selected the church Of st.
Anne because they thought It was pc.
culiarly fitted to become a place Of pill.
grimage. Their choice seems to have
been approved, as ever since It has
been visited every year by thousands
Of petitioners OF the Good st. Anne"
Veneration Of the Relic.
This year the novena is being con.
Quoted by Rev Ambrose Of the Pas.
sionist Retreat. Norwood Park. Chica.
80. From the 18th TO the 25th OF July.
every morning after the o'clock mass.
a short instruction is given. which is
followed by the veneration OF the relic.
Every afternoon at o'clock there is a
special service, consisting Of prayers.
singing and the veneration Of the relic.
for the benefit OF the sick The relic
OF st. Anne consists OF a splinter from
a bone Of one OF the arms OF the saint.
This extra service Is attended mostly
by the pilgrims, who come from distant
places and devote all their time TO the
novena. The evening devotions take
place at 1880 o'clock. After the singing
Of an appropriate hymn and a five min.
utes instruction In French, n sermon is
preached by the missionary priest, after
which come the prayers Of the novena
and finally benediction OF the blessed
sacrament
Sunday evening, July %, besides the
usual devotions, there was a procession
with the relic, out OF doors, during
which the people carried lighted can.
dies in their right hand. In issuing his
announcement OF the annual novena
and pilgrimage, Rev. z. p. Berard. pas.
tor Of the church. said:
In these extraordinary times Il be,
hooves us to turn TO God for light and
strength. lest we falter and give way
under the stress OF trials United pray,
er and sincere devotion az st. Anne will
prove a powerful means to obtain the
much needed help.
Relic on the Streets.
"Our participation in the pilgrimage
on July 20 viii be public testimony
of our faith and trust In God, whose
ways, we know are inscrutable. but al
ways Just. The great procession with
St Anne's relic on the streets OF the
village. with its outpouring OF fervent
prayers by the pilgrims representing
many different tongues and nationali
ties, cannot fail to draw down blessings
from heaven. The sick and afflicted
viii ask relief. fathers and mothers
mindful OF their responsibilities as
heads OF families. will ask blessings fol
special need. But without doubt as the
pilgrims say their prayers at the shrin,
or while marching In the procession. tn,
thought Of the war with it's attendant
sacrifices and woes win como to theil
minds and many are the earnest, deeI
felt prayers that will be addressed to. 81
Anne asking her TO plead for them with
God, that lie may shorten the days o
hostilities and soon grant US the bless
ings OF "A true and lasting peace"