Sarcophagi

I haven’t posted photos of sarcophagi in a while. Sarcophagus tombs in most modern cemeteries just look like they hold a body. The actual person is usually interred below or next to the monument.

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Silent Night

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

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Left behind

Lincoln Park in Chicago was once the city’s cemetery. As Chicago grew and changed, as so often happens, the land the cemetery sat on was deemed desirable for other uses – in this case, a lakefront park. In theory, the tombstones were removed, the bodies disinterred, and nearly everything was moved to the cemeteries outside of Chicago proper.

As is so often the case with these sorts of moves, the removal was not as complete as hoped, and periodically remains dating back to the days of city cemetery are unearthed in the area. For reasons lost to time, there is also one remaining vault in its original position. There are no records to conclusively state why the Couch vault was left in what became the park, but it stands there alone now, making it the oldest strucuture still standing within the Chicago fire zone and a beacon for the curious.

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A Grave Concern: Celtic crosses at Calvary Cemetery

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A Grave Concern: Crosses at Calvary Cemetery

This Roman cross marks the final resting place of the Vincentian fathers.

I’ve already shown you the lovely monument for Anna Spahn, but take another moment to view it in admiration of the simple cross that provides the backdrop.

Not only does this photograph show you a lovely Roman cross in the foreground, but a Celtic cross stands in the background.

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A Grave Concern: Celtic crosses at Calvary Cemetery

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A Grave Concern: Corby Wordless (except transcription) Wednesday

Kate Whalen Corby

July 30, 1844 – January 29, 1913

Died in prayer at the elevation of the Host in Cathedral of the Holy Name

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A Grave Concern: Downs Wordless Wednesday (except for the transcription)

John Downs

Lost his life in the Woolen Exchange fire

Nov. 22, 1895

Aged 55 years

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A Grave Concern: The Catholic Church Extension Society

The Catholic Church Extension Society of the United States is an organization that supports the Roman Catholic church by assisting it in reaching, as they phrase it, “under-resourced and isolated” areas of the country. There is also a Canadian counterpart. Founded in 1905, they are centered in Chicago.

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A Grave Concern: Fallen

This is an all-too-common sight in cemeteries – a base with flattened top, hinting at the beauty that once was but has been toppled by time or vandalism. One of the main reasons I paused to photograph this one was that you can see that whatever once sat on the pedestal lies in front of it, half-buried in the dirt and grass. I’m guessing it is probably a cross based on what is still visible.  I would like to think that the cemetery maintenance staff will unearth it before it sinks completely into the earth, but the fact that it has gone this far does not give me much hope.

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