From July 17 to 26, the preparatory Novena and the Feast in honor of Saint Anne brought together thousands of pilgrims from all walks of life. The 2025 edition, part of the jubilee year proclaimed by Pope Francis, peace be upon his soul, had the universal theme: “Pilgrims of Hope.” A theme that resonated powerfully and appropriately in the hearts of the faithful.

At the Basilica, this great Novena takes place each year in two parallel spiritual journeys: one in French, the other in English. This exceptional pastoral richness allows pilgrims of various languages to experience the same journey of interiority, each in their own language, while sharing the same sacred places, the same gestures of faith, and often the same fervor.

For French speakers, the event was brilliantly led by Monsignor Yvan Mathieu, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall and principal preacher. He did not have an easy task: three Eucharistic celebrations a day for nine days, not to mention personal meetings, blessings, exchanged glances, and shared silences.

As Father Jacques Fortin, C.Ss.R., pointed out in his official thanksgiving message, this represents nearly thirty homilies to deliver, all rooted in the Word and in the reality of the human heart. It takes deep faith, keen pastoral insight, and the endurance of a pilgrim to keep up such a pace.

On the English-speaking side, the experience was just as inspiring. Father Eugene O’Reilly, C.Ss.R., well known for his gifts as a preacher and musical composer, spoke with tenderness and authority. At the end of his homilies, he often offered a song of his own composition, which the faithful welcomed with emotion. His inspired voice and his focus on the essential touched many hearts, including mine.

Both preachers, each in their own way, combined beauty, depth, humor, and hope—and one could even say that they had the voice of their mission, since both were gifted with a special talent for singing.

For my part, I can say in all truthfulness that this 2025 Novena will remain a highlight of my years of service at the Basilica. As a priest who has been in ministry for decades, I have seen, once again this year, the power of a living sanctuary, the strength of the sacraments, the love manifested in small, simple gestures, and the benevolent presence of Saint Anne watching over all her children.

The crowds not only filled the pews: they carried away in their hearts a living faith, a deep peace, and a joy that cannot be mistaken. There were sick people, families, young and old, people seeking enlightenment or wishing to give thanks, and all left having received something: a word, a smile, a prayer, a moment of profound silence, and, for those Catholics who desired it, absolution and communion with the Body of Christ. It was as if the patron saint of Quebec, this Grandmother of Jesus whom we love so much, had taken each of these pilgrims by the hand to bring them a little closer to the heart of God.

Yes, Saint Anne continues to bring people together. She comforts, she teaches, she listens. In my opinion, she is the second strongest woman in the Gospel: a living memory of God’s faithfulness, the mother of the Mother, the grandmother of our Savior. God chose her to be so because she combined strength and gentleness, temperance in prayer, humility through work, and surrender in suffering. And as long as hearts come to her with confidence, she will never cease to intercede, to bless, to lead us to her grandson Jesus.

May this Novena 2025 continue to bear fruit for a long time to come, and may we all remain pilgrims of hope in the ordinary days of our lives. For to walk with God is already to hope. And to hope is already to love.

ALL PHOTOS BY EDITH CARBONNEAU AND SEAN BERNARD TAN FOR THE REDEMPTORIST PROVINCE OF CANADA.

Article originally published with the title, "Pilgrims of Hope at the Novena 2025: A grace that is always alive" in the September edition of The Scribe.