[200] The monument erected by the inhabitants of Sillery, to the memory of the Revd. Père Ennemond Masse, S. J., first Missionary to Canada, was inaugurated on Saturday afternoon, the 26th June, 1870, in presence of the inhabitants of Sillery, and of several literary gentlemen of the environs. Revd. G. V. Cazeau, addressed those present, and was followed by the Abbes Laverdière and Casgrain, and by Hon'l P. C. A. Chauveau and Mr. R. R. Dobell.
Mr. Dobell delivered a lengthy and able address on the worth of the good missionary but dwelt chiefly on the career of the benevolent Commander Brulart de Sillery:
At our suggestion, the monument was made by its inscriptions to commemorate the merit of both:
The speakers all paid a high tribute to the researches of the Revd. Abbes
Laverdière and Casgrain, through whose labors the resting place of the
Revd. Père Masse were discovered, and with whom originated the idea of
erecting this monument.
The ground upon which the monument stands was given by Mr. Henry
Lemesurier: and Mr. R. R. Dobell has nobly assisted Messrs. Laverdière and
Casgrain in carrying out the project.
The monument is plain but elegant, and altogether about 20 feet high. It is of cut-stone, with four marble tablets surmounted by a marble cross. One of the tablets bears the following inscription:
The Inhabitants of Sillery
Have erected this Monument to the Memory of
PÈRE ENNEMOND MASSE, S.J.,
First Missionary in Canada,
Buried in 1646,
In the Church of Saint Michel,
On the Domain of Saint Joseph of Sillery.
On another tablet was inscribed:
The Church of Saint Michel,
Which formerly stood on this spot,
Was built by
The Commander of Sillery,
Founder (in 1637) of the St. Joseph Domain.
The ceremony throughout was of a most interesting character, serving to mark an important event in the history of Canada.