First called Wakamne or God’s Lake by the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation who live on the west end of the Lake and Manito Sahkahigan or Spirit Lake by the Cree, Lac St. Anne is the site of the annual Lac St. Anne Pilgrimage, one of the most unique and memorable spiritual gatherings in North America.

Schedule is subject to change and adustment. 

Camping details will be available soon.

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2010 Blessing of the Lake - Panarama (Click image for larger view)

 

    Lac St. Anne Pilgrimage site
     
    A long-established annual meeting place for Aboriginal peoples, this lake became a Catholic pilgrimage site in the late 19th century. Since 1889, First Nations and Métis people have travelled here in late July to celebrate the Feast of Saint Anne. This saint, widely revered as the mother of the Virgin Mary and the grandmother of Jesus, embodies the grandmother figure honoured in many Canadian Aboriginal societies. Lac Ste. Anne is an important place of spiritual, cultural and social rejuvenation, central aspects of traditional summer gatherings for indigenous peoples.

In the past Native families, who in the fall had scattered to winter camps and trap lines, gathered in the summer for the buffalo hunt. First called Wakamne or God’s Lake by the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation who live on the west end of the Lake and Manito Sahkahigan or Spirit Lake by the Cree, Lac St. Anne is the site of the annual Lac St. Anne Pilgrimage, one of the most unique and memorable spiritual gatherings in North America.

    The pilgrimage to Lac Ste. Anne blends well with traditional Aboriginal spiritual beliefs and cultural practices. Aboriginal cultures have strong female figures and, generally speaking, grandmothers have a respected place within this society. As the grandmother of Christ, Saint Anne can be accepted into this tradition. The pilgrimage, which takes place on the week of her feast day, July 26, coincides with the time when traditional summer gatherings were held. The pilgrimage allows Aboriginal people to once again come together to visit, to share and to celebrate much as they did in the traditional summer gatherings.  Today as many as 40,000 pilgrims make their way to the shores of Lac Ste. Anne. Many come in search of healing and spiritual renewal.  This pilgrimage, has become the largest annual Catholic gathering in Western Canada.

The pilgrimage is especially close to the hearts of our many First Nations and Metis people who attend faithfully each year. 

Who is St. Anne?

Saint Anne is the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the grandmother of Jesus. While not mentioned in the Bible, stories of Anne and her husband Joachim are found in early Christian writings.

Devotion to St. Anne has been widespread throughout the world and many thousands of miraculous cures have been attributed to her wonder - working intercession.

She is often portrayed with the child Mary at her side holding a book and teaching her to read . In 1876 Pope Pius IX declared her as the Patroness of Canada.


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DECLARATION

Gathered in unity we, the Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrims, 

continue to celebrate this event which is a gift of God's blessing, 

deeply rooted in Catholic Native tradition.

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