A monumental occasion

The monument was erected at the corner of his eponym street and Decelles Street in the memory of the Father. As an enduring figure with a street named after him in St. Laurent, he is highly regarded among the religious community.

Nearly 200 people attended the unveiling of the granite statue which represents a tree rooted on a rock, adorned with a medallion picturing Father Basile Moreau himself. It features the phrase: “Regardez le rocher d'où vous avez été taillé-es” (literally “See the rock from where you were carved”). Four people worked on the monument’s concept, including Sister Trinh Ta, who explained that “many symbols were translated to show the spirit of Basile Moreau. The stability of the rock and the tree roots which represent life. It’s also a metaphor for the difficulties Christ had to overcome throughout his life.”

“Why another monument?” asked Sister Kesta Occident, the congregation’s general moderator, who led the ceremony. Let’s not forget that another commemorative monument was erected at the neighbouring St. Laurent Church about 10 years ago. “There are three reasons. This year, 2007, marks the 160th anniversary of the arrival of the Ste. Croix pioneers on May 28, 1847. It has also been 150 years since Basile Moreau stepped on to Canadian soil. Lastly, his beatification was just celebrated in Mans on Sept. 15.”

Among the many members of the religious community attending the inauguration was Mayor Alan DeSousa. The borough gave the Sisters of Ste. Croix $3,000 for the foundation, the installation, and the upkeep of the monument. The motion was passed during the October borough council meeting.

Father Pierre Dufour blessed the monument before an observant and silent crowd after which citizens attending the unveiling approached the statue, one by one, to touch it and pay respect to “an ordinary and simple man who knew how to make a difference.”

A mass at St. Joseph’s Oratory will take place on Oct. 21 to pay tribute to Basile Moreau, and a concert will take place on Nov. 4 at the St. Laurent Church.

Translated by Elyse Amend

(Photo: Martin Alarie)