Catholics invited
to re-internment JACKSON – Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore will celebrate a Mass for the re-interment of the earthly remains of Bishop John Joseph Chanche, SS, on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008, at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Basilica in Natchez.
Bishop Chanche was the first Catholic bishop to come to Mississippi in 1851 to the then Diocese of Natchez. He died in Maryland in 1852 while visiting family after attending the First Plenary Council in Baltimore. He was buried in the Cathedral Cemetery in Baltimore on July 24, 1852, and was moved to the New Cathedral Cemetery in 1878.
Last year, St. Mary Basilica Historical and Archive Committee under the direction of its pastor, Father David O’Connor, began an effort to have Bishop Chanche’s remains returned to Natchez and the basilica, which he had built as the original cathedral for the diocese. With the approval of Bishop Joseph Latino and Cardinal Keeler, the remains have been disinterred and sent to Natchez for re-interment in a special grave site being designed on the grounds of the basilica.
Bishops from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama will be concelebrating the Mass with Cardinal Keeler along with priests from the Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi. The Mass will feature music from the mid-19th century as well as selections from the Requiem Mass in Latin.
Bishop Chanche’s remains will be buried in an antique-style coffin handmade at the Trappist Monastery in New Melleray, Iowa. The original stone monument from Baltimore will also be a part of the gravesite.
Bishop Latino invites the faithful of the Diocese of Jackson to participate in this unique and historic diocesan celebration.
