SHRINE DINA BÉLANGER IN SILLERY, QUEBEC, CANADA

The Chapel of the Religious of Jesus and Mary of Sillery is the first and more important Shrine of Blessed Dina Bélanger, since her tomb is found in this Chapel.  It is interesting to know its history.

Dina Bélanger (Mary Saint Cecilia of Rome) died on September 4, 1929 and was buried on the 7^th in the community cemetery of the Religious of Jesus and Mary of Sillery, in the presence of a numerous assistance of relatives and friends of Quebec, her native city. 

Very soon her reputation of sanctity began to be known, and in 1931 Cardinal Raymond-Marie Rouleau, Archbishop of Quebec, asked Rome authorization to publish the Autobiography of Dina Bélanger.  In 1933 Cardinal Jean-Marie Rodrigue Villeneuve, also Archbishop of Quebec asked that the Canonical Processes be opened.

Between 1950 and 1956 the Informative Process took place and that of no cult in the Diocese of Quebec. The Religious asked the Archbishop of Quebec permission to transfer the remains of Dina to another place in the same cemetery, so that they could be preserved better.   On November 24, 1951, after identifying her remains and placing them in a cast iron casket, they were placed in a cement tomb.   This transfer was presided over by Rev. Cyrille Labrecque, delegate of Mons. Maurice Roy, Archbishop of Quebec, in the presence of the Religious and of other persons.

On May 13, 1989, the Servant of God was declared Venerable and on May 10, 1990, the Pope approved the miracle realized on September 4, 1939 through the intercession of Dina Bélanger, of a child, nine months old suffering from hydrocephalus  without any  hope of being cured.

On May 18, 1990, presided over by Mons. Jean-Robert Hamel, delegate of Mons. Maurice Couture, Archbishop of Quebec, in the presence of the Notary, the Promoter of Justice and of several Religious, the transfer of the remains of the Venerable Dina Bélanger took place from the cemetery to the Chapel of the Religious of Jesus and Mary.

Thousands of persons from the five continents visit this place of cult, especially after the beatification.  Many write their petitions to Blessed Dina.  All these intentions are entrusted to her, and, every first Saturday of the month, they are placed on the altar during the Mass which is celebrated in honor of Dina.