THE COLUMBARIUM
Real and Dorothy Duteau initially began visiting the Shrine in 1969. They became neighbors of the Shrine in 1974 after purchasing a summer residence just north of the Chapel and have been full-time residents of Isle La Motte since 2003. The Shrine has always been a favorite place for them as they have many fond memories raising their three boys along the lake and have always attended worship services at our outdoor Chapel. The family has a strong devotion to Saint Anne and the holy grounds of the Shrine will always have special meaning to them. Today they watch their grandchildren grow up along the lake and see our Catholic faith handed down to yet another generation of their family. The Shrine has a special place in the hearts of all family members.
Given their love for the Shrine and their desire to ensure that this Edmundite Apostolate continues well into future centuries, Real and Dorothy proposed the idea to fund the construction of a Columbarium for the interment of cremated remains. They believe that other benefactors of Saint Anne’s Shrine would want to have their final resting place at this holy site amidst the beauty of the lake. They cannot think of a better way to encourage future generations of families to celebrate their faith at the Shrine than by visiting their deceased loved ones on such holy grounds.
In November 2014, the Columbarium was completed by Rock of Ages Corporation of Vermont and installed at the Shrine just southeast of the Boucher Building. Located on the crest of a hill overlooking the entire property, including views of the historic Chapel and lake, the Columbarium blends in well with the devotional grottos housing various saints.
PURCHASING A NICHE
There are a total of seventy-two (72) niches available for purchase. Thirty-six (36) of these niches are double sized and have the capacity to hold four standard sized urns. The remaining thirty-six (36) niches are single size and have the capacity to hold two standard urns. A standard urn is approximately 6” in diameter by 10” high and must be purchased at the Shrine.
It is the hope of Real and Dorothy that the proceeds from the sale of urns and niches will be used for the benefit of the Shrine to either fund operations or create an endowment for the long-term viability of the Shrine. The sale of niches will be limited to Friends of Saint Anne's Shrine who are on our mailing list of benefactors. The sales prices for the niches and urns reflect the intention of the Duteaus to improve the financial condition of the Shrine. Rates are as follows:
Standard size urn: Inquire with office
Single niche holding two urns: $6,500.00
Double niche holding four urns: $10,000.00
Niche engraving: per market
“For your faithful, Lord, life
is changed not ended, and, when this earthly dwelling turns to dust, an eternal dwelling is made ready
for them in heaven.”
NORMS 416 & 417 FROM THE ORDER OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS WITH CREMATION RITE, c. 1998
"The Catholic Church commends its deceased members to the mercy of God by means of funeral rites. It likewise asks that the Christian faithful continue to offer prayer for deceased family members and friends. The annual celebration of All Souls Day, the commemoration of all the faithful departed on November 2, attests to this salutary practice. Masses celebrated for the deceased on the anniversaries of death or at other significant times continues the Church’s prayer and remembrance. For Catholic Christians, the place of interment such as a columbarium, call to mind the resurrection of the dead. In addition, the places of eternal rest are the focus for the Church’s remembering of the dead and offering of prayer for them."
"The cremated remains of the body should be treated with the same respect given to the human body from which they come. This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, the care and attention to appropriate placement and transport, and the final disposition. The cremated remains should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium. The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or friend of the decreased are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires. Whenever possible, appropriate means for recording with dignity the memory of the deceased should be adopted, such as a plaque or stone which records the name of the deceased."
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