By Philippe Vaillancourt

SAINTE-ANNE-DE-BEAUPRE, Quebec (CNS) – The Redemptorists are leaving their Ste.-Anne-de-Beaupre monastery, where they have been living since the 19th century.

The monastery is adjacent to one of Canada’s biggest shrines, both named after the mother of Mary. In a letter just sent to pilgrimage organizers and donors, the rector of the sanctuary, Redemptorist Father Bernard Gauthier, said most members of the community will now live in various residences, mostly around Quebec City.

He said the decision was made after “several months of studies and reflections on the current state of the buildings, the ability of the Redemptorists to maintain a quality pastoral service, the financial resources available for the life of the sanctuary and for the life of confreres.”

“This means that the number of Redemptorists present in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre will be very small,” said Father Gauthier.

“We continue to be the guardians of the shrine but we will work, in the coming years, to have a team of Redemptorists, laypeople and other religious.”

This will be done by collaborating with the diocesan authorities, he wrote.