SHRINE DINA BÉLANGER IN LAMÈQUE, NB, CANADA

In 1993, a short time after the Beatification of Dina Bélanger, Father Léon Robichaud, a great friend of Dina, sent a letter to Sister Jeanne Yvette Rioux, Superior at the Convent of Petite-Rivière-de-l’Ile, NB. asking  her to make Dina Bélanger “visible” since on September 4, 1939 she had obtained a great miracle, approved by the Church, during a Novena made by the family, asking for the cure of a small child nine months old, André-Jude Chiasson, suffering from incurable hydrocephalus.  This child was born in the Parish of Lamèque, Nouveau Brunswick.  This petition of Father Robichaud gave Sister Jeanne-Yvette the courage to carry out this beautiful initiative.  Without waiting, she formed the “Committee Shrine Dina” with former pupils of Jesus and Mary to carry out this project.

The Committee met several times to prepare everything. In the first place, it was necessary to find a corner in the Church and then all the work that had to be done.  After some time, over a year, the Shrine was finished.  On one of the walls was placed a large picture, copy of the picture which in Rome, in the Basilica of St. Peter, had presided over in the beatification, and on the left side was placed the relic of Dina.

The blessing of the Shrine by Father Claude Pinet, parish priest of the Parish, before a large assistance, took place on Sunday April 30, 1995, on the feast of the birthdate of Blessed Dina.  In 1999 two stained glass windows were placed in the Shrine. These windows show the symbols of the devotion of Dina, the Host and the Star.

The novenas to Blessed Dina began in the year 1995, from August 26 to September 4, the feast of her entrance to Heaven and continue every year with good participation. On September 25, 2003, the Parish priest of Shippagan, N-B., supported by other Parish priests, proposed that this Novena become an event of the Vicariate of Shippagan which consists of a group of nine Parishes. The organization of the novenas is entrusted to the Committee of the Shrine.  Every day there is a Eucharistic celebration with preaching. The last one in 2016, the celebrant and preacher was Mons. Valèry Vienneau, Archbishop of Moncton.  Before the Mass there is 10 minute reflection on the life of Blessed Dina and at the end the veneration of the relic.

During the novena there is also the blessing of the sick, the possibility for confession and adoration to the Saint Sacrament.  Many favors are obtained through the intercession of Blessed Dina.  People trust Dina and she does them good. The Committee is very faithful in having a Mass celebrated every second Wednesday of the month for the intentions of the friends of Dina.  The desire of the religious is that of Dina: “To take souls to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus”. 

SHRINE DINA BÉLANGER IN SAINT-MICHEL DE BELLECHASSE, CANADA

Dina Bélanger lived at three different times in the community of the Religious of Jesus and Mary at St-Michel: September-October 1923; February-April 1924 and July 1926.  Every time she had to go back to Sillery because of illness.  In March 1924, it was in St-Michel, that out of obedience to her Superiors, she began to write her Autobiography.

After the beatification of Dina Bélanger by Pope John Paul II, on March 20, 1993, the Christian community of St-Michel, on September 4, 1994, proceeded with great pride, to the inauguration, in her Parish Church of a Shrine dedicated to Blessed Dina.  The initiative was from the Parish Priest, Father Roger Lacasse, supported by the Religious and by a group of parishioners, in order to honor this ancient member of the Parish. A relic of Blessed Dina was placed, to be venerated, under her picture, a copy of that which in Rome, in the Basilica of St. Peter, presided over in the ceremony of the Beatification.

For the inauguration of that Shrine, besides the Religious from different houses and of numerous parishioners, several representatives arrived from the Association Family of Jesus and Mary from New-Brunswick, from Trois Pistoles, Lauzon, Sillery, Beauceville and St-Gervais, to join the members of St-Michel. 

On May 4, 1997, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Dina Bélanger, a granite plaque was unveiled on the exterior of the Church, indicating the Shrine of Dina.

The numerous persons who visit this mini Shrine can deposit, in a special box, their personal prayers.  The community of the Religious of Jesus and Mary has a Mass celebrated every month for the intentions which, with faith, have been entrusted to Dina.

During the time that Dina lived in St-Michel, her room was part of the present community room.  Today the Religious have arranged there a small corner in order that those who wish can pray to Dina.  Some pupils from the School do it frequently.