January 12, 2010
The Last Sacrifice of Rite is a work in progress, a study on the Catholic religion celebrated in rural communities. Villages in Quebec, those tucked away in valleys and winding roads throughout rural regions, are the areas that attract me the most.
Quebec was once a province where the Catholic Church was a very dominant institution in people’s daily lives. In smaller towns, priests were often as powerful as the local mayor. Archbishops of large cities were influential with the government and political decisions were mostly made in accordance with the Church’s beliefs. After the Quiet Revolution of the 1960’s, the institution that suffered the most was the Roman Catholic Church. Quebec’s social and moral values, which had all been anchored by the Church from the past, were questioned. Quebec became very secular.
When entering the church, the faces that look up from the pews are mostly older eyes framed by wrinkles and white glistening hair with the exception of some younger families that come every once and a while. There are no longer big families of 10 – 15 children lining the pews and important gatherings after mass are a thing of the past. The church and Sunday mass in small communities played a very important role, it was not only for the deeply devoted but was also a place for gathering and reunion. For women and men to gossip, to talk about the weather, about work and to simply take time and enjoy one another’s company. But today that sense of unity and gathering seems to be fading.
I have never experienced these days, I have only heard stories, nor have I ever seriously attended Catholic mass as a worshiper. My faith is somewhat of a constructed one following none but respectful of all. Being neither influenced nor offended, attending mass to observe and photograph is quite interesting. Watching mass, the process, the dance of the priest from bible to preaching and parishioners submissiveness of kneeling, standing and sitting unfolds almost like a rehearsed play. The people sit sporadically through the church, a building that can hold up to 1200 people, sits now maybe 50.
Priests try to keep their sermons contemporary, comparing Bible passages to recent news events, trying hard to keep up-to-date with lingo and the fast moving pace of today’s society to try to appeal to younger generations. But maybe they are a bit late with the attendance dwindling, at least for the younger people of the province, which see religion colliding with social morals and present ideals.
The Last Sacrifice of Rite is a study of what used to be a way of life, now transformed and how old values are trying to survive. It’s looking at people that are holding on to a deeply rooted tradition and priests that are determined to try and keep that ritual alive.