Pope Pius XII decreed 1954 the Marian year for Catholics, that is to say, a year dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

A series of religious events followed, which in Caraquet resulted in the erection of seven wayside crosses with statues of the Virgin Mary. For several years, parishioners gathered there to pray during the month of May, the month of Mary.

The crosses were first installed at the entrances to the parish, at the intersection of the Saint-Simon road, near Martin J. Légère’s house in Pointe-Rocheuse, at Jos Lacroix’s house in the center of the village and at Henri Chenard’s house opposite the wharf.

The photo shows the blessing of the cross in front of the Chenard house, which is my current residence.

Bernard Thériault, historian