Au Revoir, Redemptorists

SAINTE-ANNE-DE-BEAUPRÉ, QUEBEC  - The Redemptorists are leaving their Ste.-Anne-de-Beaupre monastery, where they have been living since the 19th century.

The monastery is adjacent to one of Canada's biggest shrines, both named after the mother of Mary. In a letter just sent to pilgrimage organizers and donors, the rector of the sanctuary, Redemptorist Father Bernard Gauthier, said most members of the community will now live in various residences, mostly around Quebec City.

Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de Beaupre

He said the decision was made after "several months of studies and reflections on the current state of the buildings, the ability of the Redemptorists to maintain a quality pastoral service, the financial resources available for the life of the sanctuary and for the life of confreres."

From Wikipedia:

On March 8, 1658, settler Etienne de Lessard donated two frontal acres from the west end of his property to the Catholic Church, so that a chapel could be built. This chapel eventually became the site of the modern-day basilica. 

1658 was the year that my great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather, Pierre Pineau dit la Perle married Anne Boyer. Pierre died about 45 miles from the Basilica, but lived about 100 miles up the St. Lawrence River.