More than a century ago, the Passionists, a preaching order in the Roman Catholic Church, arrived in Scranton to conduct missions and retreats. The people and the local clergy loved them so much that Bishop Michael Hoban of the Diocese of Scranton invited the Passionists to establish the Congregation in the Diocese. A plateau of 10 acres, elevated above the city, was chosen by the Passionists and by Bishop Michael Hoban. Slowly a new parish began to be formed and named in honor of Saint Ann, mother of Mary.
Disaster struck on the morning of August 15, 1911 when a coal mine subsidence seriously damaged the Monastery. The priests continued their ministries until two years later when another major slide caused them to evacuate. Mining experts predicted a huge collapse would carry the Monastery to the east. But then a miracle happened after lots of prayer. On July 28, 1913, two days after the Feast of St. Ann, amid earthly grumblings and flying coal dust, the priests and laity knelt in solemn prayer throughout the night. At daybreak they were startled by a tremendous rumble, followed by deafening silence. What was supposed to have been a giant slide, turned out to be two huge boulders moving into place underneath the Monastery. Those rolling boulders closed the great fissures, making the Monastery grounds more solid than ever.
St. Ann’s Novena began in November, 1924 with just a handful of people requesting the rector of St. Ann’s Monastery to have a weekly novena honoring St. Ann. They knew that the priests, brothers and seminarians had their own novena services in the Monastery Chapel. The Rector appointed a young priest, Father John Joseph Endler, C.P., to hold services for the people in the Monastery parlor. Within a few weeks and with the addition of extra devotions each Monday, the parlor was not large enough to hold the number attending the Novena devotions. A large tent was provided by the Scranton Fire Department which was used for services for the next few months. It was evident that larger accommodations had to be provided and a simple wooden structure was erected near the front entrance to the Monastery. This held about 200 people but the crowds continued to increase.
Finally, it was decided to build a church. Ground was broken in 1927 and the finished church was dedicated on April 2, 1929. This beautiful edifice can be seen from many vantage points in the city. Because of the long history of the Church as a place of pilgrimage, Pope John Paul II declared St. Ann’s National Shrine to be a Minor Basilica on October 27, 1997. It could certainly be said that the Novena actually began in the hearts of the people. It was the faithful of the area who requested the weekly Novena; their spontaneous response to it has brought huge crowds over the years especially during the ten day Solemn Novena, July 17-26.
Over the years there were continuous reports of miracles happening through the intercession of St. Ann. During and after World War II, a great number of families moved from Scranton to other areas to find employment. Very many of these people continued to return to St. Ann’s Shrine for the annual Solemn Novena in July. Devotion to St. Ann sparked pilgrimages from many parts of the United States and Canada. Repeatedly, one hears people remark: “My mother took me to St. Ann’s when I was a sick child. The doctor had given up. I haven’t missed a novena since.” At other times you can hear a mother introduce her child as “My St. Ann’s baby.” Then she will tell you that she and her husband prayed for years for a baby and finally St. Ann answered their prayers. It is common to see three generations of a family attending the Solemn Novena together. The Novena to St. Ann was born in the hearts of the faithful, and it is truly an important part of the spiritual life of so many people in this area and beyond.
On the Feast of St. Ann, July 26, there are groups of pilgrims that come from surrounding towns on foot. A group from Dunmore leaves home at 4:00 A.M. and walks 3 miles to the Shrine for the 6:00 A.M. Mass. Groups from Pittston gather together at midnight to walk the 8 miles to the shrine and arrive around 3 A.M. That gives them ample time to pray the Stations of the Cross and to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before the first Mass of the day at 4:30 A.M. These groups are predominantly young people who will tell you that their parents and grandparents began these traditions years before. In addition to the large crowds attending the Novena, thousands more participate in the Novena prayers and Mass through radio and television, starting back in the 1940’s. St. Ann’s has been a beacon of light and a place prayer for almost 100 years, a destination for countless people who pray for their families, their own intentions and for the needs of others.
The Passionist Community that lives and ministers on the compound numbers thirteen men, ranging from 52 years of age to 93.The Congregation of the Passion was founded by St. Paul of the Cross (1694-1775), Paul Daneo, an 18th Century mystic, gifted preacher and director of souls. He was raised up by God to found a new Congregation in the Church to meditate upon and proclaim the passion and death of Jesus as the permanent sign of God’s love for humanity. Paul founded 12 monasteries in his lifetime, and longed for the day when the Congregation would expand outside of Italy. Passionists first came to the United States in 1852, and presently serve in over 50 countries worldwide.
The Passionists have shared their lives and ministry with the fine people of Scranton for over a century. We pay tribute to the clergy and laity who have journeyed with us and have supported us through the years. We thank God for all the wonders he has done in our midst. It has been a privilege to serve the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and it is our hope and desire to serve in the future.
Readers will enjoy the thirteen minute video of the magnificent Basilica of St. Anne in Scranton presented by Fr. Richard Burke. In addition to a refresher course on the liturgical environment the video references two items which confirm the church’s designation as a basilica, one that retains a special connection with the Holy Sea.