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By Marthe Prévost-Gaudreau
Compton
During our annual gathering a few
fine speakers helped us discover the great values driving the life of remarkable
individuals amongst our Ancestors.
Mgr Gérard Dupuis
Mgr. Gerard Dupuis related the life of Mgr.
Charles-Philippe Choquette who lived from 1856 to 1947. This man knocked down
many barriers. He made a name for himself with the strength of his character: «
I am who I am and if you do not agree with my manners or my way of thinking that
just too bad! »
In politics when everybody was “blue” he was “red”! He likely associated with T.D. Bouchard a notoriously controversial Liberal accused of anticlericalism who at the time was Member of Parliament and Mayor of Saint-Hyacinthe. Mgr. Choquette traveled the world of Colleges and Universities. A globetrotter of sort! As a note of interest Mgr. Charles-Philippe Choquette is buried in the crypt of the Seminary in Saint-Hyacinthe.
Jean
Choquette
Jean Choquette personified our ancestor Nicolas at the 2002 Varennes great
gathering.
Jean Choquette, historian, likely a researcher and a writer, when the fancy takes him, entertained us with a revealing and passionate conference on Alexandre « Buck » Choquette (1829-1898) « the boundaries » restricting the life of French-Canadians in the 1800 were unbearable… He too wanted to go further, find freedom and make a name for himself. He will leave his mark in the West and in Northern Canada as a gold digger…and finder! He had an indomitable character with a vision second to none! The true Klondike pioneer!
A word of advice to Jean Choquette: You may have to republish your book on Alexandre « Buck » Choquette. This biography where history mingles with geography is a must-preserve book for future generations!
Gilles Bachand
Gilles Bachand a reputed historian from the Yamaska region
Gilles Bachand speaks of the involvement of the Saint-Hyacinthe Seminary in agricultural research. Who would have thought that in these « sacred » walls where young men where to be educated toward priesthood one day an agricultural research laboratory would to be established?
Indeed in 1888 Prime Minister Honoré Mercier gives the go a head to the project and Mgr. Choquette is appointed its first Director. A provincial laboratory dedicated to cows, calves, milk, cheese and fodder where research on the milk industry will be conducted. Once again dedicated people able to adapt to new technologies.
The Chapel
On
the left: Father Joyal
with Urgel Choquette
The visit of the magnificent chapel in the Saint-Hyacinthe Seminary was wisely
supplemented by the lecture of priest Guy Joyal. The neo-gothic style derived
from the French Amiens cathedral. A number of impressive lateral altars since
the years past as Mr. Joyal explained two priests could not share the same altar
for their morning mass. In those days there was an abundance of priests and a
shortage of altars!
The tall crucifix is a relic from the Holy Land. It was given to the Seminary by
a group of Canadian pilgrims who won it during a visit to Jerusalem in 1923. The
plaster castings were imported from Italy. Magnificent stained glass windows and
colorful rose windows enlighten the place of worship. There would be so much to
say about this chapel… a jewel well preserved in a precious-wood case!
History Center
Participants
listen to Mrs. Ghislaine Letarte from the Genealogical Division of the History
Center in Saint-Hyacinthe accredited by the Quebec Culture and Communication
Ministry (on the left)
A short word to our webmaster Jeanne a passionate and skilful genealogist helping the neophytes that we are. Once again she generously shared her knowledge with many. What would we do without your patience and knowledge? Many thanks to another remarkable Choquette helping everybody.
We had the opportunity to enjoy speakers of high caliber well versed in the life story of valorous characters from our past. They captured our interest and increased our knowledge. Everybody went back home enriched with images and words. Thank you for your availability.
Photos: Sonia Larin
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