Parish's Tomb of Unknown Slave features shackles, unmarked crosses

Published: 2004-12-23

NEW ORLEANS (CNS) -- The major design element of the dramatic Tomb of the Unknown Slave memorial in New Orleans is the quintessential symbol of slavery -- a metal chain. The memorial, on the grounds of St. Augustine Church, also features metal neckbands, shackles and unmarked crosses. "Unmarked crosses are what marked a slave's tomb, if he had one at all," said Divine Word Father Jerome LeDoux, pastor of St. Augustine. "And the chain that was used in the cross comes from the Mississippi River, often the final resting place for a slave." The massive chain used to form the memorial's monumental cross once anchored a buoy in the Mississippi River. When the buoy was decommissioned, the chain was drawn up from the water and put in a warehouse. Father LeDoux said the chain came to the church through a series of coincidences.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .