Maryland officials have reinterred 65 of the state’s earliest Catholic settlers in a ceremony that highlighted the colonial town’s pioneering role in religious liberty in America. This event took place on September 20 at Historic St. Mary’s City, a restored 17th-century settlement located on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The reinterment followed more than three centuries after the original burials and was a significant moment for those who had long been forgotten in the annals of history. The event included a procession, a chapel blessing, and the reburial of the remains, which had been studied, preserved, and carefully arranged over the past several decades.
Dr. Henry Miller, a senior research fellow at Historic St. Mary’s City, played a crucial role in planning and executing the ceremony. He meticulously recreated aspects of the 17th century, including a horse-drawn hearse, a cannon salute, and the inclusion of the hymn ‘Salve Regina,’ which would have been familiar to the settlers. The presence of Archbishop of Baltimore William E. Lori was particularly symbolic, given the predominantly Catholic nature of the reinterred individuals. The ceremony was not only a tribute to the settlers but also a recognition of their foundational role in establishing religious freedom in America, which later became a cornerstone of the First Amendment.
During the reinterment, the remains of eight infants were given special attention. These infants, often omitted from historical records, were placed in small black boxes wrapped with black ribbon and adorned with a sprig of rosemary. Each pallbearer, who was a descendant of 17th-century Maryland immigrants, carried a box containing the remains of their ancestors. This personal connection added a unique dimension to the ceremony, allowing the participants to honor both their heritage and the memory of those long gone. The coffin, a precise reconstruction of one excavated at the site, was placed with care, reflecting the meticulous detail in preserving the dignity of the reinterred individuals.
Dr. Miller emphasized the importance of treating the remains with the utmost respect, noting that this approach could serve as a model for how excavated remains are handled elsewhere in the United States. He also highlighted the broader historical significance of the event, stating that the settlers’ legacy remains as vital today as it was in the 1600s. This sentiment was further underscored by the timing of the ceremony, occurring just 10 days after an incident involving political violence that sparked national conversations about tolerance and coexistence. Miller used the occasion to reflect on the importance of living together in a manner that respects differing viewpoints, a principle that the settlers championed in their time.
Beyond the immediate celebration of the settlers’ legacy, the reinterment also served to elevate the historical significance of St. Mary’s City. Dr. Miller argued that the colony’s role in establishing religious liberty in North America should place it on par with more widely recognized historical sites like Jamestown and Plymouth. The ceremony, therefore, was not only an act of remembrance but also a call to recognize the foundational contributions of the early settlers to the American experience. The event left a lasting impact, ensuring that the stories of those who came before us are not forgotten, and that their legacy continues to inspire future generations.