BRIDGING THE GENERATIONS
Families flock to participate in St. Anne’s Sunday – one of oldest celebrations on P.E.I.
Not even the gathering of rain clouds could dampen the spirits of grandparents showering their grandchildren with love while celebrating the annual feast of Saint Anne, the grandmother of Jesus Christ, on Sunday in Lennox Island.
“My grandmother believed in the Trinity and miracles, and she taught us that,” said Lennox Island First Nation Chief Matilda Ramajattan.
“She witnessed miracles in our Lennox Island St. Anne’s Church and said she could hear on a calm day people coming from miles around on their canoes and singing and worshipping God. When they docked on the wharf, they would get down on their knees and pray, so God honoured them.
“Miracles happen in this community, and people come from all over to experience the feast of St. Anne.”
Grant Pye travelled from Gagetown, N.B., to observe the multigenerational faith day, which stretches back to the early 1600s when missionaries from France introduced Catholicism to the Mi’kmaq.
“I started coming here about six years ago because my mother’s family are from Lennox Island, and I’m Aboriginal, too, although there are many people that come here for other reasons,” he said.
Loman and Erin Murphy, from Campellton, said it’s a family tradition that stretches back more than 50 years.
“Our dad would lower us down in the vessel, and the fishermen would take us across to Lennox Island for the celebration. This was before the bridge was built connecting the island to P.E.I., and they had a ferris wheel and lots more rides for children,” said Murphy.
“Our favourite part now is the mass celebration held in St. Anne’s Church. A blessing is performed down the aisle during the service that involves the smoking of sweetgrass and blowing it around the people. It’s beautiful,” she added.
Retired RCMP Corp. Ken Walker said St. Anne’s Sunday is a large-scale event both “spiritually and otherwise.”
His colleague, RCMP Staff Sgt. Derrick Hewitt brought his grandson, Zakkary, to chart their roots.
“My great-grandmother was Mi’kmaq and I want to pass down the culture to my grandson, so he can continue to be involved,” he said, while reflecting on the event that connects family and community.
Ramajattan said that while this is traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq, peace and friendship are extended to all.
“We invite people to come each year on the last Sunday of July to celebrate St. Anne, the oldest celebration held on the Island.”
Proceeds raised from the lobster feast go to support the historic St. Anne’s Church. Mass kicked off the celebrations at 11 a.m., and fireworks wrapped up the festivities at dusk.