Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, celebrated a Mass within the new Chapel Mausoleum of the Resurrection at St. Gertrude Cemetery and Mausoleum in the Colonia section of Woodbridge.
During the livestream on May 31, Tobin recognized Memorial Day and the country’s veterans while also dedicating the altar within the newly-constructed chapel. This is a relatively rare occurrence since altars are only consecrated once after being constructed, according to information provided by the archdiocese.
The new St. Gertrude Chapel Mausoleum of the Resurrection was unveiled recently. The mausoleum is the first in archdiocesan history to feature a unique chapel exclusively for cremation niches. It also includes exquisite stained-glass windows and a Tiffany-styled dome over the altar in the main chapel, all of which were rescued from closed churches and restored through the archdiocesan Artwork Preservation Program, according to the statement.
Additionally, new artworks were created especially for the mausoleum by Progretto Arte Poli, an art studio in Verona, Italy, known for producing artworks for the Holy See at the Vatican Gardens, the Apostolic Palace, and the Diocese of Rome’s St. John Lateran Basilica.
The mausoleum is adorned with a stained-glass window of Jesus ascending to heaven and a marble altar, which features intricately-designed bronze statues of Mary and the 12 Apostles during Pentecost.
Other new artworks include handcrafted wooden statues of the four evangelists, St. Mark, St. Matthew, St. Luke, and St. John, commissioned from Demetz Art Studio in Ortisei, Italy.
Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark also honored veterans interred at archdiocesan cemeteries by placing more than 1,000 American flags at their graves. Those flags will fly from Memorial Day through Flag Day on June 14, according to the statement.
To schedule a free appointment to see the mausoleum’s artworks or to discuss burial or cemetery arrangements with a memorial planning advisor, visit www.rcancem.org.