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Saint Anne's Shrine occupies sacred ground on Isle La Motte in Vermont's Champlain Islands, directly on Lake Champlain's shores facing the Adirondack Mountains. The site marks Fort Saint Anne, established in 1666 as Vermont's oldest European settlement and the location of the region's first Catholic Mass. For over a century, the Society of Saint Edmund has maintained the shrine as a place of spiritual renewal for religious pilgrims, vacationers, and history seekers. The combination of authentic colonial history, lakeside natural beauty, and accessible Catholic infrastructure makes this destination unique in New England's pilgrimage landscape.
The shrine offers multiple layers of experience across thirty-two acres: the small chapel and outdoor pavilion for Mass attendance, the Way of the Cross marking the fort's original footprint, rustic grottos dedicated to saints, a memorial to local history, and a statue of Samuel De Champlain. Visitors move fluidly between spiritual devotion (candle-lighting, prayer, Mass) and recreation (swimming, picnicking, boat docking). The retreat center accommodates groups with five cabins and modern meeting facilities, while day visitors enjoy free access to grounds, gardens, and the beach, making it adaptable for both intensive retreats and casual visits.
The pilgrimage season runs mid-May through mid-October, with peak activity June through September. Daily Mass operates 11:15 AM July–August; schedules vary outside this window. Weather ranges from cool spring mornings to warm, humid summers and crisp autumn afternoons. Arrive with sturdy walking shoes, layered clothing, and rain protection. The shrine provides year-round access to grounds and beach, but cabin reservations and full programming concentrate during warmer months.
Saint Anne's Shrine operates within Vermont's broader Catholic identity and Saint Michael's College community, hosting student retreats, Orientation Leaders, Resident Assistants, and athletic teams from the college. The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage highlights the shrine's role in American Catholic history. Local residents and returning pilgrims treat the site as a place of continuity and renewal, with nearly 2,000 people attending the 1893 chapel blessing and thousands visiting annually. The Society of Saint Edmund's century-long stewardship reflects a commitment to preserving both spiritual practice and historical memory within the region.
Book accommodations early for May through October, when the shrine operates at full capacity. The 2026 pilgrimage season begins May 10th. Reserve one of five rustic cabins (each sleeping up to 16 people) through the shrine office at (802) 928-3362, or arrange RV camping with onboard restrooms during summer months. Consider visiting during shoulder seasons (April, October) for fewer crowds while maintaining accessible facilities.
Bring comfortable walking shoes for the thirty-two-acre grounds, particularly for the Way of the Cross and grotto visits. Pack layers and rain gear, as lakeside weather changes rapidly. Donations support the shrine's operations, so plan to contribute at the Welcome Center in the Boucher building. Arrive early to register at the office and obtain a map of the grounds.