After Pentecost, the Apostles and Disciples of Jesus travelled the world spreading the Gospel. Some of them brought precious relics to these new lands.

Those that went to Gaul, including Lazarus, Martha, and Mary Magdalen, brought with them the body of St. Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her remains were left in the care of the city Apta Julia, known today as the city of Apt, France.

Because of the violent persecutions in the early days of the Church, relics were carefully hidden. One of the most ancient martyrologies, that of Apt, tells how St. Anne’s body was placed in an underground church or crypt.

Early in the second century, St. Auspicius, first bishop of Apta Julia, did his utmost to protect the precious relic. He had it buried even deeper in the crypt, and sealed up all the entrances. Over the centuries, the city often suffered barbarian attacks. Throughout these persecutions, the body of St. Anne lay safe from harm. But this great safety came at the expense of great secrecy, purchased by silence. And the silence lasted so long that, in time, there was no one left who knew where the holy relics had been hidden.

At the end of the eighth century, the Emperor Charlemagne defeated the Saracens, bringing peace back to the country. People finally had a chance to openly live their faith without fearing for their lives. They began to rebuild the holy places that had suffered the ravages of enemy attacks.

The clergy began a search for the place St. Auspicius had hidden the sarcophagus of St. Anne. Sadly, their efforts were in vain and the secret location could not be found.

When Charlemagne arrived in Apt, his first priority was the reconsecration of the city’s cathedral. So it was done amid the Easter solemnities, attended by a vast multitude of people of all classes.

One of many nobles attending the ceremonies was Baron Casanova. With him was his fourteen year old son, John. This poor boy had been born blind, deaf, and mute. People standing close to him in the sanctuary were surprised to see him reacting strongly to something. His face turned upward, filled with awe, as if he were listening to Heavenly voices.

Suddenly, the blind boy made his way toward the high altar. With his staff, he struck at the altar stairs, and gestured that someone should dig there. The sacred rites were still going on. But the clergy and even royal guards could not get young John to stop this disturbance.

The sight made a great impression on the Emperor. Once the Mass was over, Charlemagne ordered them to start digging where the boy indicated. Behind the steps they uncovered an old door, blocked by huge stones. Excited at this incredible find, they opened the door, and beheld the ancient underground church where St. Auspicius would celebrate Mass. A flight of stairs came down from this door. Despite blindness, the boy immediately rushed forward, down the stairs into the crypt, leading the way forward.

Charlemagne held John’s hand, and told his men to prevent the excited crowd from entering.

John made gestures that they should keep looking. Eventually, he struck one of the old walls, showing where to dig. When this wall was brought down, a long corridor was revealed. At the end of this hall was another crypt, even further down underground. As they neared this place, a bright light suddenly flashed on Charlemagne and those with him.

In front of a recess, (a large niche) separated by a wall, was a lamp, burning with supernatural light. But as they approached the miraculous lamp, the light was extinguished. Then an even greater miracle took its place. At that very moment, the boy John could see, speak, and hear.

"The body of St. Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, is in yonder recess," were the first words he spoke in his life.

Everyone there had known of John’s ailment. They were amazed at his cure! For a few moments, no one could speak. Then all burst forth in praise and gratitude.

The recess was opened, and a lovely smell like oriental balm filled the air. They found an old casket made of cypress wood. Inside, wrapped in precious fabric, lay a body that had rested undisturbed for centuries. On the casket were inscribed the words: "Here lies the body of Blessed Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary."

Everyone venerated the precious relic. Charlemagne lost no time in informing the Pope. The emperor had a precise, detailed description of this discovery written by one of his notaries. He sent a copy of this narrative, along with a letter of his own, to Pope Adrian I. This letter, and the reply of the Pontiff, still exist today.

News of the amazing event quickly spread, and the Cathedral was flooded by pilgrims from all across the country. Today, anyone visiting this Cathedral can see innumerable ex votos, testimonies of over a thousand years of miracles obtained through the loving intercession of St. Anne.

While most of her sacred body still remains in Apt, relics were sent to other places, including Austria, Canada, Italy, and the United States.

Among the most famous shrines to St. Anne are St. Anne de Beaupré, Canada, and St. Anne of New York.