Sunday, June 27, 2010

Steve Catlin gave a great talk about Fr. Hegarty's work on the Ste Marie I site

A replica of the lead plaque found in the grave of Ste, Jean de Brebeuf at Ste. Marie I. The original was found by Fr. Denis Hegarty SJ in 1951.  This is on display in the museum at Martyrs' Shrine. The plaque is about five inches in length.

Steve Catlin the Shrine's Archivist spoke to a small group that included Huronia Chapter members, a couple from Toronto, and a group of Catholic educators from Rochester, New York.

Steve detailed Fr. Hegarty's excavation work and his interpretation of building locations and usage at the site, which differs greatly from that of Wilfrid Jury.  He showed some photographic slides that Fr. Hegary took in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Steve also showed us the archives and we had the opportunity to examine some of the books in the collection.




To arrange research visits to the archives, contact Steve Catlin through Martyrs' Shrine.  Please note that the Shrine is not open year round.  Look up their web site for season dates.

Steve Catlin at a preserved old desk and typewriter in the archives.

3 comments:

Gibson, William said...

One other point worth keeping in mind: the archives are physically a small space. There is room for one researcher at a time. Last week there was a professor from University of Ottawa, if my memory of my conversation with Steve Catlin is sharp. She seemed to find the back copies of the Martyrs' Shrine publication, The Shrine Message, a particularly rich source if an unexpected one. The Message contins archaeological and historical articles and bound copies go back to before 1930. It is a resource I am tempted to go and browse.

John Raynor said...

This was a most informative presentation and represented a great deal of effort from our fried Steve - thanks again Steve. The archives and resource centre at the Shrines Education Centre is a valuable resource for any serious student of Huronia.

Unknown said...

Hi there, the orginal plaque of Brebeuf was found by Hegarty in 1954, actually it was uncovered by a coworker- Jame Hood I think, who indicated to Fr. Hegarty that he had something, so then Hegarty took over. As well, the first person to "uncover" the coffin was Rosemary Hughes, the secretary of the Shrine who brought down a lunch for Fr. Hegarty. He sat under the tree and gave the trowel to her. What I can tell, Fr. Hegarty knew he had something a few days before (the Friday) and covered up the work) so on the Monday he gave the trowel to her so she could 'discover' the grave. She went on and became a nun and took the name Sr. St. Brebeuf. Steve