First Century Afterthe Expulsion 83

A DIFFICULT MINISTRY

The prolonged absence of priests amongst the Acadians during the period that followed the expulsion definitely affected the way they practiced their religion. Even if several missionaries were on the Island the territory to be served was so vast that each mission was only visited two or three times a year, and then only for about two weeks at a time. Given these circumstances, the layman was called upon to play an important role, replacing the priest for certain duties normally reserved for the clergy. Thus, on Sundays and Feast Days people went to church, even if there was no priest, and would celebrate “White Mass” and Vespers. There would be no consecration, but one of the more educated and respected men in the parish would preside over the reading of the prayers for Mass. It was almost a routine occurence at the time to be without a priest for the baptism of the new-born. The Church authorized laymen to give private baptism to infants who were in danger of dying rather than waiting for solemn Baptism to be performed by a priest. This might not be for another ten or twelve months. We have already noted that circumstances forced the Bishop of Quebec to grant Jean Doucet from Rustico the power to baptize and receive marriage vows when there were no priests.

If there was a missionary located in a nearby community, people did not hesitate to go and find him in order to receive the sacraments. The inhabitants of Tignish would often travel as far as Rustico, over a distance of about 160 kilometres, in order to have their marriage blessed or to have one of their children baptized.

The missionary had a very demanding ministry which he carried out in isolation, far away from his ecclesiastical superiors: he would administer the sacraments, teach catechism, organize schools and instruction, direct the worldly business of the parish, often serve as justice of the peace, combat social problems such as drunkenness, and more! He was responsible for these in all of his missions.

Given the circumstances in which the Acadians of the time were living, the missionaries found it difficult to enforce some of the reg- ulations of the Church. A couple wishing to marry, for example, but who were related or connected somehow, had to obtain a special dispensation from the bishop and also pay him a certain sum which varied according to the degree of kinship. Considering the limited