“Onto the other side” –  (PIP #71)

By Louise Peloquin

Visitors traditionally gather at cemeteries during Memorial Day weekend to pay homage to loved ones passed “over unto the other side.” (1)

     Last year, a “peek into the past” covered the 1917 procession which gathered thousands at St.-Joseph Cemetery. (2) Seven years later, the crowds were still dense.

To this day, St.-Joseph Cemetery continues to welcome all who wish to pay their respects to the departed.

L’Etoile – October 2, 1924

LARGE CROWD AT THE CEMETERY

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     An unprecedented crowd went to St.-Joseph Cemetery yesterday to pay pious homage to our deceased. – Moving sermon by Father William Drapeau. – Parade in the streets and Libera (3) at St.-Joseph.

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A SALVO WAS FIRED AND THE TRUMPET
SOUNDED IN THE FIELD

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              Yesterday, more than 5000 people participated in the annual Catholic Association pilgrimage at St.-Joseph Cemetery. This pious tradition, established long ago by the Association, always draws a crowd but yesterday it was more considerable than usual.

                As in the past, imposing ceremonies at St.-Joseph church were followed by imposing ceremonies at the cemetery.

                Two hundred members of the Catholic Association left their Pawtucket Street rooms at 1:00 and went to St.-Joseph church. Heading the parade was the Regan band. Officer Louis Bolduc, president of the pilgrimage organizing committee, preceded the band.

                The procession paraded down Merrimack, Kirk and Lee streets. At St.-Joseph, the choir, directed by Mr. Télesphore Malo, sang the Libera. Reverend Father Lucien Brassard, O.M.I., officiated. Mr. Elzéar Côté sang the Libera solo.

                Many special tramways and hundreds of automobiles then transported the crowd to the cemetery.

                The imposing religious ceremonies at St.-Joseph Cemetery began with the rosary recited by Reverend Eugène Turcotte, O.M.I., Provincial.

                Father William Drapeau of Reading, a child of St.-Joseph parish, delivered a sermon for the circumstance. The preacher gave a very eloquent and touching homily and commented the following text: “Have pity, have pity on me, you my friends.”

                Father Drapeau urged the faithful to frequently pray for their departed. “It is saintly and beneficial to pray for the deceased” he said. “They need the prayers we can offer them by our alms, our good works and especially by attending Holy Mass.

                Reverend Father Eugène Turcotte then officiated the Libera. The soloists were Mr. Edouard F. Grégoire, Mr. J. Olier David, and Dr. G. E. Casgrain.

                A Catholic Association military squad, all veterans of the Great War, fired a salvo in honor of the deceased members of the Catholic Association. This squad, under the command of William Lussier, was composed of Mr. E. Normandin, I. Tétrault, A. Bélanger, J. Dusseault, R. Tardif, J. Marcotte, N. Breton and W. Bourassa. Soldier W. Lebel held the American flag and Soldiers J. Breton and A. Hall were honor guards. Mr. E. Blanchette held the French flag and Mr. R. Landry held the Sacred Heart flag. Emile Lamoureux played“Taps” on the bugle.

                The pilgrimage organizing committee was composed of Mr. Louis Bolduc, Mr. Eugène Beausoleil, Mr. Arthjur Bilodeau, Mr. Reginald Dragon, and Mr. Tancrède Blanchette. (4)

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1. Mark 4:35, KJV.
2. PIP #32 – https://richardhowe.com/2024/05/21/honoring-our-departed   St. Joseph Cemetery; 96 Riverneck Road; Chelmsford, MA. 01824
3. “Libera,” from the Latin “liberate” meaning “to deliver,” is the first word of the prayer sung by the priest at a burial service.

Translation by Louise Peloquin.