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Dedication of a Replica of the Deportation Cross
CAFA's
La. Purchase
Celebration
Recap
Participating
Families
&
Organizations
Most of the modern day Acadians, whether they live in
Louisiana, Provinces of Canada, Grenada, the Caribbean Islands, France, or
wherever, probably know of the Acadian Expulsion from their homeland of
Acadie, known as Nova Scotia today, by the British.
A Replica of the cross erected in Nova Scotia on the spot from which the
Acadians were loaded into vessels, much like cattle, was commissioned to be
erected in St. Martinville, La. on the grounds of the Acadian Memorial
Museum. This is the first of several that will be erected throughout
the world in places now occupied by descendants of the deported Acadians.
What follows are a few pictures of this dedication.
The skies were gray and threatening when heads of several
Acadian families gathered outside the church in St. Martinville for the
beginning of the dedication.
All families whose forefathers were imprisoned in the
church in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia, were represented and a member of that
family carried a banner signifying their family.
Bishop Michael Jarrell accompanied by Father Austin Leger, Pastor St. Martin
de Tours Catholic Church enter the church
in a procession to begin the dedication of the Deportation Cross Replica.
Col. John Winslow was charged with reading the Deportation Order in 1755 to
the imprisoned Acadians.
The Replica of the Deportation Cross, St. Martinville, La.
It stands in the garden of the Acadian Memorial on the banks
of the Bayou Teche.
Due to the rain, Bishop Michael Jarrell dedicates and blesses the Cross from
the pulpit of St. Martin de Tours Church.
The banner bearers bow their heads in silent prayer in recognition of the tremendous sacrifice their ancestors bore in the name of religious freedom.
After the rain subsided for a moment, Bishop Jarrell and
Father Austin Leger were able to journey to the foot of the Cross Replica.
After the ceremony was completed, the crowd gathered
in the Memorial building, the rains had begun again, and enjoyed
refreshments and cookies furnished by CAFA and the Acadian Memorial.