Celebrating the life of St Anne ~ Week 8

I hope many ladies can join with me every Tuesday in celebrating the life and cult of St Anne throughout the history of the Church leading up to her feastday on the 26th of July. This is a nine week posting of a beautiful article published in the Catholic newspaper called, Catholic ~ The Voice of Catholic Orthodoxy the article itself is is an exerpt from a book by Rev Fr Myles V Ronan CC, MRIA 1927.

Edit 2011: I have since discovered that the wonderful newspaper that this St Anne article has come from, is put out by the Transalpine Redemptorists on the island of Papa Stronsay in Scotland. I now have their blog linked at the top of my lefthand sidebar, you can order this newspaper/magazine from their site.

Today is week eight, here are the previous seven postings:

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5
Week 6

Week 7

During these nine weeks I am also giving away a St Anne gift for each posting (either a St Anne chaplet, rosary or necklace of heirloom quality.) To enter the draw, read the day's posting and answer the question taken from the St Anne story. Then email me the answer with your name and email address written beside it, if the name and email address is not there, I cannot add you to the draw. I will draw out and announce the winner the following Tuesday and release the photo of the next gift and question and on it goes! Feel free to enter each week's draw.

I ask just one special favour, if you could offer an Ave in honour of St Anne for my sister Carmen who would dearly love to be blessd with a child after nine years of infertility, many grateful thanks

And so we continue on from last week.....

The second inquiry took place at Chateau de Kerguehennoc in Bignan in the house of Mr du Garo, brother-in-law of Mgr de Rosmadec. The Bishop, with his usual courtesy, received Nicolazic, listened to his long narrative, and asked him many questions. Nicolazic answered judiciously and frankly. Mr du Garo, a renowned lawyer and well-versed in the tricks of cross-examination of witnessses, showed to Nicolazic certain apparent contradictions in his statement, put forward objections, and pointed out certain impossibilities. He twisted Nicolazic's statement and asked him some captious questions. But the peasant never winced, or contradicted himself, and gained the upper hand in this unequal contest. He made a great impression on the Bishop and on Garo, and went away quite happy.

The Bishop now decided to hold a formal inquiry in presence of the Rector. But the Rector for some reason did not present himself. Nicolazic came, and as he did not know French, brought his brother Peter with him as interpreter. The inquiry was confined to a statement of facts. But it was necessary also to view them from the theological standpoint. Accordingly, the Bishop ordered the Guardian of the Capuchins to take charge of Nicolazic and interrogate him at leisure.

Nicolazic stayed some days with the Capuchins at Vannes undergoing a minute examination by all the religious of the house. Then came an interval of 15 days prayer, and consultation with the best theologians. At the end of this period Nicolazic was summoned to Vannes, for further cross-examination. And, finally, the Capuchins drew up their report to the Bishop, declaring that Nicolazic was truthful in his statements and that it was expedient to build the chapel required.

Events were before long to confirm the reality of the visions of Nicolazic. Three weeks afer the discovery of the statue, the Rector was struck with paralysis. A clerical friend advised him to have recourse to the Saint who had spoken to Nicolazic. He obeyed, and nine times he was carried to the Bocenno field.

The ninth day he asked to be brought to the fountain, and as he had not the use of his arms he was assisted in having his paralysed legs bathed in the water. He was instantly cured, and threw himself on his knees before the statue. He who was an obstinate opponent of Nicolazic up to the very moment his clerical friend gave him the advice to have recourse to St Anne, became one of the warmest promoters of the devotion. He made public reparation to St Anne and promised to be the first to celebrate Mass in the holy place.

The Curate, Dom Thominec, who had thrown over the statue in the Bocenno field, as well as the pilgrims' offerings, was attacked a few days afterwards with a painful and inexplicable malady of the arm joint which nothing could cure or assuage. He died three years afterwards, the pain remaining with him until the hour of his death, but meanwhile he had recognised his mistake and made attonement for it.

Nicolazic saw the accomplishment of the promises made to him by St Anne. The crowds had come and were continuing to come; the funds were abundant; the chapel was built; and the conversions and miracles worked. The Carmelites, summoned by the Bishop established themselves in the village. They took charge of the building, transforming the village into a monastic city.

At the Revolution the miraculous statue was carried off and burnt at Vannes in 1793. In spite of all these profanations, and in spite of the dangers to which they exposed themselves, even during the full Reign of Terror the Bretons came in crowds to St Anne every year on the usual festival days. The ancient statue that had been burnt was replaced in 1824, on the occasion of the second centenary, by a more beautiful one enclosing the face of the old in the base of the staue. In place of the old chapel a spacious church was built in 1866 which takes its place among the basilicas.

To be continued next week...

Last week's question was: Q: What was in Nicolazic's barn, that had come originally from an ancient shrine to St Anne, that caused it to be burnt to the ground and yet leave the contents to be miraculously untouched? The answer: Stones from the original ancient shrine to St Anne.

Elizabeth Bresee was the first name out of the hat with the correct answer ~ congratulations! Email me with your address Elizabeth, and I'll post the St Anne chaplet you see above to you!

For all those ladies who entered last week's draw, feel free to answer this week's draw, answering the new question below.

Here is an image of this week's giveaway is a St Anne rosary:

To have a chance to win this week's heirloom quality St Anne rosary with a vintage reproduction St Anne rosary center and a beautiful vintage reproduction crucifix, the orginal coming from St Anne deBeaupre (engraved on the back) both handcast in solid bronze made from gemstones, swarovski crystals, answer the following question:

Q: What malady did the Curate, Dom Thominec, suffer and die from?

Email me the answer with your name and email address written next to the answer. Come back next Tuesday to see if you have won!

I humbly ask for prayers also, for my two year old daughter who has suffered burns to her face and eye area, many kind and grateful thanks!