The Cathedral Chapel of Saint Anne
The chapel of Saint Anne stands to the right of the cathedral entrance. It is used chiefly for the celebration of Holy Mass in the winter months, and for small groups of pilgrims and prayer meetings with young people. On the wall behind the altar hangs a large painting of the Merciful Jesus, painted after the visions of Sister Faustina Kowalska of Poland.
The chapel houses a large wooden statue of Saint Anne, the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was carved by the Tyrolean school and stood in the old cathedral. Holding Mary by the hand, Saint Anne shows in a striking way what true teaching is: with her left hand she holds her daughter’s right hand, while her forefinger warns her to take care in what she does and to keep away from evil. That is indeed the chief aim in the raising of children.
In the jubilee Year of Mercy in 2016, proclaimed by the Pope, the outer doors of the chapel were the “Holy Doors”, solemnly opened and blessed for the gaining of a plenary indulgence.
The chapel also holds the papal chair, made for the occasion of Pope Francis’s apostolic visit to our country.