If you missed Livestream of Memorial Day & Dedication Mass on Monday, May 31, 2021, Click Video Below

Archbishop Blesses and Dedicates Mausoleum Chapel’s Altar

On Monday, May 31, 2021, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, celebrated a Mass commemorating Memorial Day within the new Chapel Mausoleum of the Resurrection at St. Gertrude Cemetery and Mausoleum in Colonia, NJ.

The Mass honors those serving or who have served in the United States Military, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

All are welcome to view the Mass on the Archdiocese of Newark or Catholic Cemeteries YouTube channel if they were not able to view the live stream on Memorial Day.

During the live stream, Cardinal Tobin blessed and dedicated the altar within the newly-constructed chapel. This is a relatively rare occurrence since altars are only consecrated once after being constructed.

Those watching the live stream witnessed the new St. Gertrude Chapel Mausoleum of the Resurrection, unveiled recently, featuring 18 world-class works of art, 2,300 marble front crypts, and 2,500 glass and marble niches. The church-like mausoleum design includes two chapel areas – one for traditional committal services, another for cremated human remains – the first in archdiocesan history to feature a unique chapel exclusively for cremation niches.

The handcrafted marble and bronze altar is located beneath a 100-year-old, 12-foot Tiffany-style stained-glass dome highlighting the Holy Spirit and biblical icons. This captivating work of art saved from the former All Saints Church in Jersey City suspends from a marble structure.

The elegant crypt and cremation alcoves feature beautiful 12-foot stained-glass windows reclaimed from the former St. Mark’s Church in Rahway, NJ, depicting various saints. These stained-glass artworks were rescued and restored through the archdiocesan Artwork Preservation Program.

Additionally, new artworks include a brilliantly colored, 14-foot stained-glass window of Jesus ascending to heaven, and a glorious marble altar, featuring intricately designed bronze figures of Mary and the 12 Apostles during Pentecost designed by Progretto Arte Poli. This art studio in Verona, Italy, is known for producing artworks for the Holy See at the Vatican Gardens, the Apostolic Palace, and the Diocese of Rome’s St. John Lateran Basilica.

The alcoves also feature remarkable handcrafted wooden statues of the four evangelists, St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John, commissioned from Demetz Art Studio in Ortisei, Italy.

Following in the Easter artwork theme throughout St. Gertrude Cemetery, a breathtaking, 14-foot statue of the Resurrected Christ, made from Italian Carrara marble, stands triumphant outside the main entrance of the new mausoleum. (continues after photo gallery)

Elsewhere on the cemetery grounds, Catholic Cemeteries has installed other liturgical art to inspire and uplift visitors, including a magnificent new marble Rondanini Pietà statue of Mary holding Jesus after His crucifixion located outside the Chapel Mausoleum of the Crucifixion. This Pietà statue carved from the same marble quarry Michelangelo carved his original Pietà masterpiece is one of only two Pietà statues like it in the world.

Finally, there is a 14-foot bronze statue at the central entrance to the cemetery, also designed by Progretto Arte Poli, depicting the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan River. The design features a glistening, blue glass infused into the bronze to represent baptism water flowing from the head of Jesus onto a magnificent stone foundation quarried in Italy. Light passing through the blue glass changes with the movement of the sun. And the porous appearance of the stone foundation is indicative of a large river stone weathered over hundreds of years.

Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark also honored veterans interred at archdiocesan cemeteries by placing more than 1,000 American flags at their graves. Those flags will fly from Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2021, through Flag Day, Monday, June 14, 2021. American flags fly daily throughout the year in designated areas at all archdiocesan cemeteries to pay tribute to fallen heroes, veterans, and those currently serving.

Schedule Your Grand Tour 

To schedule a free appointment to see the mausoleum’s magnificent artworks and to discuss burial or cemetery arrangements with a caring and professional Memorial Planning Advisor without any obligation, click here to fill out our online form. Pre-planning minimizes the stress that comes with having to make important decisions at that difficult time. Gain peace of mind and great savings. Pre-plan today.

About Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark

The caring and dedicated staff at Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark ministers to the spiritual needs of individuals and families before, at the time of, and after the loss of a loved one. This includes caring assistance with cemetery planning before death, compassionate support at the time of loss, facilitating a loved one’s interment in a holy place, support throughout bereavement, and perpetual cemetery care thereafter. For more information, visit www.rcancem.org.