The Diary of the 137th Annual Novena to St. Anne
St. Anne Shrine – Fiskdale
Administrated by the Assumptionist
Father Peter Bui, Associate Pastor of Saint Anne Church and Notre Dame Church in Southbridge was the Main Celebrant. He was joined in prayer by the English and Hispanic communities of Saint John Paul II Parish in Southbridge.
The rosary procession was led by members of the Hispanic community. Tonight’s Sorrowful Mysteries were said in Spanish by Sister Rosa Maria and another parishioner, while the English mysteries were said by a member of Saint Anne’s Choir.
Father Bui talked about Our Blessed Mother as a sign of unity, so obviously her mother, Saint Anne, is the mother of unity. Saint Anne shows us that family extends beyond our households, and our cultural boundaries.
Father Bui talked about the Augustinians of the Assumption, and how they come from all corners of the world, and yet these Assumptionists live together in prayer, in unity, one with Christ.
As Novena goers, we are one in our devotion to Saint Anne.
Father Bui spoke about his devotion to Saint Anne going back to his childhood, when his family would go to the shrine in her honor in Quebec. They asked for her intercession, and witnessed miracles on their visits there. When he was a first year seminarian, Father Bui went alone to the shrine and experienced his own miracle, a sign from God that he was on the right track. God gives us all those signs. We need to be thanking Him for them.
Father Bui prayed that Saint Anne helps us, that she takes care of us like she took care of her daughter, and as Mary took care of Jesus.
As Jesus said in tonight’s Gospel reading, Mark 12:46-50, we are all brothers and mothers, because we do the will of our Heavenly Father.
