Taken from the Booklet, Welcome to Notre Dame by Thomas F. Murphy Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur, 1963 A Perpetual Rosary After World War II, the Shrine seemed to have received new vigour. In 1953, the Perpetual Rosary Crusade was founded and since then, the Rosary has been said night and day, in shifts, for the spiritual defense of Canada and for peace throughout the whole world. These people come from all over the province of Quebec and in three shifts a day so that there will always be someone in the Shrine praying the Rosary. For each group that comes, there will be Mass and Holy Communion and, on important Feast Days, a sermon or homily on the Feast.  . . .  go over across to the Father Director's office and there you will see the whole record. While it is in French, you will be able to see how many parishes partake in this venture and how many people come from each parish. Would that this practice was in very parish in Canada and America and then, perhaps, we would feel confident that Our Lady would protect us from the horrors of Communism and nuclear warfare. The Pilgrim Statue and Second Crowning It would seem that Our Lady's statue has an urge for traveling. Twice She has made journeys that are remarkable. The first one was in 1947 for the Ottawa Marian Congress, another the same year, a 6,3OO-mile train journey to the West Coast of the United States with the late Archbishop Beckman's Confraternity of Pilgrims, then more in conjunction with the Marian Year of 1954, when She journeyed all around Canada and then came back to the Cape again. This Pilgrim Virgin is a replica of the Statue over the High Altar and was received with warm welcome everywhere She went. Then came the wonderful celebrations at Three Rivers of the National Marian Congress of August 5 to 15, 1954 to mark the Centenary of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception and of the "Miraculous Statue" given originally to mark that Definition. The Miraculous Statue itself was taken down from over the High Altar in the Shrine and brought in procession to Three Rivers. Here the Papal Legate and the Cardinals and Clergy were waiting. On the arrival of the statue, the ceremonies began and the culmination was the second crowning of Our Lady's statue by the Papal Delegate. How the people cheered and what joy they all felt, especially when their beloved Mother was received in such honour and was receiving such signal honours. Back again to the Shrine came the Miraculous Statue and the people of Cap-de-la-Madeleine breathed a sigh of relief, that their Statue was back in place safely. To go into detail for all the happenings of these days would take too long and besides would defeat the purpose of this little account. But to see the splendid ceremonies of these days, you will attend a film of the events in colour and here you will see all the details for yourself. This film is shown during the pilgrimage season and you have only to inquire at the Information Bureau or at the place where you are staying to find out what time the film is shown. If you are with an organized group, the Director of Pilgrimages will make arrangements with your organizer and the time will be made known to you in due course. But no matter how you come to the Cape, it will be worth your while to see this film. Other films are also shown for the pilgrims, especially those of Father Peyton's, depicting the Mysteries of the Rosary. These are a wonderful supplement to one's devotion to the Rosary and give an added insight to its spiritual meaning. You are advised not to forego this wonderful treat. The Rosary Basilica VIEW AN IMAGE OF THE BASILICA The Rosary Basilica has been completed and is being used by the pilgrims for all ceremonies. Thus, the efforts of many years have now come to fruit. The project was conceived long before but permission was granted from Rome in 1938 to proceed with the building of the Basilica. Then the war intervened and no attempt could be made to start on the project. In 1955, the final plans of Mr. Adrien Dufresne, as architect from Giffard, near Quebec, were accepted. From then on, work progressed at full speed and today the Basilica stands completed. It is a modern design whose beauty is functional as well as being artistic. The plans have been made with such care and thought that the pilgrim has received special attention. The broad front steps are so designed that ceremonies can be conducted from here and when the large patio is completed, it will be wonderful to see this whole square filled with pilgrims attending outdoor ceremonies. As you look up at the front of the Rosary Temple, you sec the carved Madonna standing 24 feet in height. There She will look down on all the pilgrims as they pray to Her. Over the facade is the bell tower and from here the bells will ring out calling all to come and pray the Rosary with the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary. Inside, there are no pillars to block the view and the six thousand pilgrims gathered there will be able to see all in comfort. The stained glass windows are the work of an Oblate Father, Rev. Jan Tillemans, O.M.I., from Holland. These are beautiful works representing Mary and her virtues and glories. Beneath the Basilica is the accommodation for various supplementary altars and chapels as well as the first aid station and other equipment needed at a shrine of this size. WEB SITE WITH PICTURES OF THE ALTAR THE Rosary Basilica has been called "the most beautiful beacon along the royal road of the St. Lawrence". And rightly so. A few details are necessary right here, so that you can easily realize its immensity and its tremendous import to the Shrine. Its length, on the outside is 273 feet and it is 168 feet wide. The height from the ground level to the top of the Cross is 256 feet. There are seats for 2000 people, with standing space for as many more, and the seats are especially designed so as not to interfere with the acoustics of the interior. The organ is very complete, being one of the largest in the Americas. It was designed by Casavant Brothers, of St. Hyacinthe, who installed it in place after some two years of testing. The High Altar is made from a three ton block of Calacatta marble and altogether there is about 60,000 square feet of marble used in decorating the interior of the Basilica. The Crypt is fully equipped as well, seating about 1000 people, with 17 altars for visiting priests. There are 24 confessionals in the Basilica, as well as three automatic elevators. The Colonades are ramps for wheel-chairs and invalids, and make it so much easier for the handicapped to enter for the various services, as buses and cars can stop right at the foot of the ramps. There is a First-aid Station under the Southern ramp and special quarters for the Pilgrims of the Perpetual Rosary Crusade under the Northern ramp. . . . Over the High Altar in the Upper Church are the facilities for Radio and Television hook-ups, which can be used without interfering with the ceremonies. There are six Rose windows in the main Church, each 26 feet across, and hundreds of other stained-glass windows. Each has its own story to tell, and a separate booklet is available for those who would wish to read further about these beautiful works of art. There are just two side altars in the Upper Church, one of which is dedicated to Our Lady of the Cape. As you tour the Crypt, do not overlook the beautiful Peace Chapel, with the statue of Our Lady of the Cape and the glass stairs to the upper level. Here the pilgrim very often can retire for a peaceful prayer with the Blessed Mother. A Dream Fulfilled One could write a book on the events that took place over August 14, 15, 16, 1964 at Cap-de-la-Madeleine. It is not possible to give you more than the mere facts, as so much happened in these three days, that it would be an injustice to try and cram a description within the confines of a few paragraphs. There were colourful events, with the gaiety of the vestments and the reflecting colours of the stained-glass windows pronouncing the joys of the people who had come in countless throngs to witness these wonderful days. There were the resounding sermons, preached by so many eminent clerics, who extolled the wonders of Christ and His Mother. There was the exhilarating singing of the choir, especially formed for the glorification of God in this wondrous home. Above all there was the wondrous inspiration of the liturgy, the explanation of the various things that happened, and the thrill of being present at such a tremendous event. "Briefly, everything was done to exalt worthily a great Queen. The new Basilica of Our Lady of the Cape is beautiful but the mission of such a monument remains to give God. And from August 6 to 16, 1964, the Servants of Jesus and Mary, contemplative nuns on the Shrine grounds, had to furnish our tabernacles with 95,000 hosts. A proof that Mary always leads to Jesus." (The Annals. Oct. '64. ) Dedication Ceremonies Before the Inauguration there was the Solemn Novena preached in French by Father Paul Emile Soly of Montreal and the Triduum preached in English by Father Sylvester Livolsi of Newark, New Jersey. Then came August 14th and with it the day of Consecration, the ceremony that sets aside this building for ever, as a temple, the holy of holies. His Excellency the Most Reverend Georges-Leon Pelletier, of Trois Rivieres, Patron of the Shrine, performed the ceremony, assisted by Father Barabé, and a host of other prelates and priests. The interior was blessed with water and oils, the altar was anointed and then the walls were consecrated and the Mass of Dedication was sung. His Excellency gave a homily which was carried live by Radio and Television. Midnight saw Very Reverend Leo Deschatelets, Superior General of the Oblate Fathers, celebrating the opening Mass of the great Feast Day. Rev. Father Paul-Henri Barabé, Provincial, preached the sermon and then, before all gathered for the Feast, a young Oblate Scholastic, Brother Theodore Dumont, pronounced his perpetual vows. Truly this was a momentous occasion for this future priest and for the pilgrims. Later that day, His Eminence Paul Emile Cardinal Leger, Cardinal Archbishop of Montreal, celebrated the Inauguration Pontifical and preached to the thousands gathered on Mary's Feast Day. Then Bishop Pelletier read out the decree of His Holiness Pope Paul VI raising the Rosary Church of Our Lady to the rank of a Minor Basilica. In the afternoon, His Excellency the Most Reverend John J. Kroll, Archbishop of Philadelphia, said Mass for the English speaking pilgrims at the close of the Triduum. Then at 4 p.m. came the crowning moment of every August 15th, at Cap-de-la-Madeleine, the Blessing of the Sick. The ceremony this year took place in the new Basilica and was presided over by His Excellency Archbishop Maurice Roy of Quebec, Metropolitan of the Shrine and Primate of the Canadian Church. The day closed with the first official visit of Archbishop Sergio Pignedoli, new Apostolic Delegate to Canada. After the liturgical reception and address of welcome by Bishop Pelletier, the candlelight procession took place around the grounds. This was the most impressive sight of the day and one which brought tears to many there. Our Lady must have been pleased with the sight of so many paying homage to Her and Her Son. August 16th saw the Apostolic Delegate saying his first Pontifical Mass in Canada and it can be simply said that he won the hearts of all with his friendliness. He spoke to all, admired the children and shook hands with all in reach. The day closed with Solemn Benediction after a stirring sermon by Very Rev. Father Leo Deschatelets, O.M.I. He raised the Host over the people and blessed them, so that when they returned to their homes, a little of the fervor of these days would always remain with them. By now you have a brief outline of the history of the Shrine and perhaps you are now wondering what happens there and why. E-MAIL HOME---------------MARY'S INDEX www.catholictradition.org/Mary/ducap2-5.htm