The Basilica is a Sanctuary dedicated to Saint Anne. It is only natural then, that the first images which attract our attention would be about Saint Anne.

Settlers, missionaries, and sailors coming from France brought devotion to Saint Anne to North America, where it was widely accepted, especially at Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, where over 350 years of devotion have already gone by. Saint Anne has become the patron saint of the province of Quebec and, as any good grandmother would do, has never stopped "spoiling" her little grandchildren.

Even if we know very little about the life of Saint Anne, the simple fact of being the mother of Mary and the grandmother of Jesus, is sufficient for the Church to recognize and venerate her for centuries.

The entire ceiling mosaic of the Basilica describes the life of Saint Anne. It tells the story of her life, the life of a Jewish woman of that era. It speaks of her virtues, which by the way should be ours too. The vault also illustrates her glorification to us.

At the heart of the apse, just above the main altar, we see Saint Anne, the Virgin Mary and the child Jesus. Saint Anne is giving a fruit to Jesus; which is not just a treat from a grandmother to her grandson, it is a marvelous symbol of His Mission as the Redeemer and Saviour of Humanity. It is not a Fruit of Death, like the fruit that Adam and Eve ate, but a Fruit of Life saving us from original sin.

In this glorification, these three people are surrounded by the many Blessed of our church, as well as Saint Joseph, Saint Joachim and Saint John the Baptist. In the background, one can see a large orchestra of elegant musical angels.