Devotion set to begin July 18

By Jennifer Grybowski
Turley Publications Reporter

STURBRIDGE -Peace. Direction. Faith. During the 123rd Novena to St. Anne, held July 18 through July 26 at the St. Anne Shrine, 16 Church St. in Sturbridge, one can hope to find these things. All faiths, generations and cultures are welcome to attend.
A Novena is nine days of prayer and devotion. Although those interested are encouraged to do so, it is not mandatory to attend all nine days. This year’s Novena theme is “…To Whom Shall We Go? ..." Rev. Peter R. Precourt, A.A., St. Anne Shrine director, said the theme was especially poignant this year.
“Where we are in the world today, not too many things seem to be going right,” he said. “The economy, wars, natural disasters. Who really can lead us?”
He said that in discussing these thoughts, organizers were drawn to a Bible passage in which Peter responds to Jesus by saying, “…to whom shall we go…”
“It’s very much where we’d like to see our novena go,” Precourt said. “To really get some direction for our lives to help us.”
As in years past, this year’s novena will be heavily involved in dealing with different cultures and a diverse group of speakers and musicians will be on hand to deliver messages of reflection and peace.
“We are trying to expose people to the fact that faith is universal,” he said. “The beauty of our diversity is the gifts we can bring. No one celebrates in exactly the same way.”
Some of the music and homilies will be presented by Filipino, Spanish, Vietnamese and African groups.
Precourt said the Novena is also trying to cater to the younger population. To that end, Blues for Jesus, Richmond, Va-based music ministry headed by Robert Blaylock, will be providing the music Sunday, July 25.
Over 400 of the faithful participated each evening in last year’s Novena.
“We’re fortunate, that it happens during the summer,” he said. “We reach pretty far.”
Pilgrims from as far down the east coast as the Florida and the Carolinas to as far north as Maine visit the Novena regularly. This time of year, all of the lake cottages are full, and according to Precourt, those people attend as well.
“It became really important, since a shrine doesn’t have any boundaries, that we get more people involved, non-Catholics and non-believers,” Precourt said. “People come to a deeper appreciation of the richness we have. People get accustomed to everyday celebrations but they forget there is a larger world. People can focus on the larger church, the larger community.”
The Shrine, dedicated St. Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus Christ, is situated on 35 acres of rolling hills and woodlands. The natural beauty of the grounds are enhanced by memorial gardens and prayerful places, such as the Way of the Cross, the Lourdes Grotto, the Angel of Hope and the Holy Stairs.
The St. Anne and St. Patrick’s novena began in 1887 after parishioner Mary Houde said she was partially healed of dropsy on the Sunday after the Feast of St. Anne that July. Dropsy, which is known as edema today, is a condition where fluid abnormally accumulates beneath skin.
According to Houde she was healed while approaching the altar to receive Communion. One year later, Houde returned and said she was healed completely.
“This is a very unique place, a sacred ground,” Precourt said. “There is something that happens to people when they come here. They get a sense of something very special. It’s like leaving Sturbridge, even though Route 20 is right at the bottom of the hill. It is a peace, tranquility.”
The Novena is free. For more information, and a complete schedule, visit www.stannestpat.org or call 508-347-7338.