Author: Bryan Boyle

An article was published in The Anchor detailing the ongoing efforts to save our beloved shrine. The article starts on page 2, and is continued on page 14 at this link. (You need to have a PDF Reader to view. One’s available from Adobe here.)

The date for the April 2021 Healing Mass has been moved to April 29th to accommodate Confirmations at Fr. Murphy’s parishes in Taunton. Please make a note of this; the Calendar of Events under the Ministries tab above, as well as the upcoming events on the right on this page, reflect the change.

Please contact the shrine office at 508-678-1510 or info@st-annes-shrine.org if you have any questions.

Lord God, You loved this world so much,
That you gave your one and only Son,
That we might be called your children, too.

Lord, help us to live in the gladness and grace
Of Easter Sunday, every day.
Let us have hearts of thankfulness
For your sacrifice.
Let us have eyes that look upon
Your grace and rejoice in our salvation.

Help us to walk in that mighty grace
And tell your good news to the world.
All for your glory do we pray, Lord,
Amen.

The St. Anne’s Shrine Preservation Society has received permission to relocate the 1893 statue, carved specifically for St. Anne’s Church from a single block of wood and which graced the great upper nave until its closure, back to the Shrine from the Cathedral.

Fr. Thomas Washburn, rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral, graciously agreed to the Society’s request that with the ongoing efforts by the Preservation Society to return St. Anne Shrine to active use in the diocese, in light of the 125th anniversary celebrations this year, the time was right for this magnificent carving to return to her home.

Plans are underway to carefully move her back in the near future and place her (for the time being until the upper church is opened) in the lower Shrine. We will keep everyone informed as to ceremonies surrounding her return.

We are about to enter into the most solemn week of the church year. Beginning on this Sunday we embark on our journey through Holy Week. Walking with Our Lord from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, sharing the remembrance of the institution of the Holy Eucharist on Holy Thursday, and carrying the cross with him through his agony and bitter passion on Good Friday, finally rejoicing with all the angels and saints with his glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday morning. 

Here at the shrine we have several events happening and we hope that you will be able to join us during this most sacred week of the year.

SUNDAY MARCH 28th at 4:00PM: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
We will have Solemn Evening Prayer (Vespers)  with the distribution of Blessed Palms.

MONDAY through WEDNESDAY MARCH 29-31 at 3:00PM: Reflections on the Passion
Our Co-Director of Liturgy and Devotions, Michael Antaya, will offer a livestream series of brief reflections on the Passion of Christ, utilizing sacred scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the writings of the saints to help us prepare for the the Sacred Triduum.

THURSDAY APRIL 1, 2021: HOLY THURSDAY
The shrine will be open all day for private devotions. The Immaculate Conception Gift Shop will close at 5:00pm but the shrine will remain open until 10:00pm. A period of private prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle will be available. The Holy Rosary will be prayed at 9:30pm and solemn night office of the church will be recited at 10:00pm.

FRIDAY APRIL 2, 2021: FRIDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION  (Good Friday)
The Shrine will be open all day for private devotions. 
The Solemn Novena of Divine Mercy begins at 3:00PM.
The Solemn Way of the Cross with dramatic Procession will be held at 7:00PM.

SATURDAY APRIL 3, 2021: HOLY SATURDAY
The shrine will remain open until 3:30PM.
The Solemn Novena of Divine Mercy begins at 3:00PM.

SUNDAY APRIL 4, 2021: EASTER SUNDAY
The Solemn Novena of Divine Mercy begins at 3:00PM.

MONDAY APRIL 5, 2021: EASTER MONDAY
The Solemn Novena of Divine Mercy begins at 3:00PM.
Mass for Easter Monday will be at 6:00PM (Father Marc Tremblay celebrant/homilist; transferred from First Friday)

The Solemn Novena of Divine Mercy will continue all week until Saturday April 10 with the Prayers offered during the Great Hour of Mercy at 3:00PM. 

We hope you will be able to join us for these events during Holy Week and the Solemn Novena of Divine Mercy!