St. Roch Cemetery is one of the most beautiful in the city. It is large and has many elaborate mausoleums. Also, the shrine is heavily used for prayers for healing.
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Front Gates of
St. Roch Cemetery.
Photo by M. Barard © 2001-2004. All Rights Reserved.
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Cemeteries fall under the domain of Baron LaCroix. He is the father of the
Gede, those spirits who give voice to the unknown/unremembered dead. In order to
do work in the cemetery or to remove something from a cemetery one must appeal
to the Baron for his permission.
New Orleans has a special relationship with death. Soon after beginning to
construct the city, the French discovered that the very water that formed the
Beautiful Crescent that gives New Orleans its nickname was a deadly mistress.
Between the various wild creatures that called the area home, the mosquitoes
carrying all types of illnesses, and the mighty Mississippi River many lives
were lost. The French also soon discovered that in the case of this wet land the
bodies of those that died could not be committed directly into the earth again
due to the high water table and the low lying land. Hence, raised mausoleums
were built. The cemeteries of New Orleans raised the bar on the beauty that can
be created to honor those who have died.
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Outside of Shrine at St. Roch Cemetery.
Photo by M. Barard © 2001.
All Rights Reserved. |
Center Entryway Statue at St. Roch
Photo by M.
Barard © 2001.
All Rights Reserved. |
Altar
Inside Shrine at St. Roch
Photo
by M. Barard © 2001.
All Rights Reserved. |
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Close Up of Altar at St. Roch
Photo
by M. Barard © 2001.
All Rights Reserved. |
Side Room of Shrine at St. Roch
Photo by M.
Barard © 2001.
All Rights Reserved. |
Corner Niche at St. Roch
Photo by M.
Barard © 2001.
All Rights Reserved. |
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