Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Ann
Encyclopedia
The Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Ann is a Roman Catholic minor basilica
located in Scranton, Pennsylvania
. The first temporary chapel on this site, founded by the Passionist
order as a monastery church, was erected in 1902; the present building was dedicated on April 2, 1929, and on August 29, 1996 was named a basilica by Pope John Paul II
. The basilica is the site of an annual solemn novena
in honor of St. Ann
, which draws thousands of pilgrims
every year.
Minor basilica
Minor basilica is a title given to some Roman Catholic churches. By canon law no Catholic church can be honoured with the title of basilica unless by apostolic grant or from immemorial custom....
located in Scranton, Pennsylvania
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Scranton is a city in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, United States. It is the county seat of Lackawanna County and the largest principal city in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area. Scranton had a population of 76,089 in 2010, according to the U.S...
. The first temporary chapel on this site, founded by the Passionist
Passionist
The Passionists are a Roman Catholic religious order founded by Saint Paul of the Cross . Professed members use the initials C.P. after their names.-History:St...
order as a monastery church, was erected in 1902; the present building was dedicated on April 2, 1929, and on August 29, 1996 was named a basilica by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. The basilica is the site of an annual solemn novena
Novena
In the Catholic Church, a novena is a devotion consisting of a prayer repeated on nine successive days, asking to obtain special graces. The prayers may come from prayer books, or consist of the recitation of the Rosary , or of short prayers through the day...
in honor of St. Ann
Saint Anne
Saint Hanna of David's house and line, was the mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus Christ according to Christian and Islamic tradition. English Anne is derived from Greek rendering of her Hebrew name Hannah...
, which draws thousands of pilgrims
Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
every year.