Catholic Cemeteries holding open house event at St. Gertrude’s in Colonia
As part of their 2021: Year of St. Joseph, Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark is scheduling several open house events throughout Essex, Union, Bergen, Hudson, and Middlesex counties.
The next open house weekend is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 31, at St. Gertrude Cemetery and Mausoleum in Colonia, N.J. This event features the grand opening of the new Chapel Mausoleum of the Resurrection. All open house events are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Professional planning advisers will meet visitors in a clean, safe, socially distanced environment to share information about burial and cremation options, memorialization, and financial planning.
The new mausoleum, which opened on May 31, 2021, features elegant marble crypts, glass cremation niches, and a stained-glass dome over the Altar of the Chapel of the Resurrection inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is also adorned with magnificent liturgical works of art created in Italy.
Four life-sized handcrafted wooden statues of the Evangelists are installed at the niche banks situated in the front and rear of the new mausoleum. A statue of St. Gertrude the Great, the cemetery’s namesake, has been installed next to the latest state-of-the-art cemetery office.
In addition, there are several new artworks throughout the cemetery, including a sculpture of Jesus being baptized by St. John the Baptist at the circle of the main entrance; a marble altar depicting bronze statues of Mary with the Twelve Apostles during Pentecost inside the new mausoleum; and the primary stained glass inside the Chapel of the Ascension within the new chapel mausoleum.
Finally, a new marble Rondanini Pietà statue of Mary holding Jesus after the crucifixion has been installed outside the Chapel Mausoleum of the Crucifixion. This Rondanini Pietà was carved from the same marble quarry as Michelangelo’s original Pietà masterpiece and is one of only two Pietà statues in the world.
Besides providing a sacred burial space in the Catholic tradition, the hope is that when visitors visit a loved one, attend a funeral, or pray at the Chapel Mausoleum of the Resurrection, they will experience an undeniable connection between themselves and Jesus Christ.
St. Gertrude Cemetery and Mausoleum is located at 53 Inman Avenue, Colonia, Middlesex County, NJ.
Appointments are not necessary, and there is no obligation. Visitors are encouraged to fill out and submit the online form at the relevant website: https://www.rcancem.org/open-house-weekend-saint-gertrude.
For more information, visit the cemetery site: www.SaintGertrudeCemetery.org or the main website for Catholic Cemeteries: www.rcancem.org.
Featured image: The new Chapel Mausoleum of the Resurrection at St. Gertrude Cemetery in Colonia is now complete and adorned with liturgical works of art created in Italy including this statue of the resurrected Christ outside the main entrance. (Photo courtesy of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark)
