St. Ninian's Cemetery Stone #17 Sarah MacMaster Dimensions: approx 8’ tall, with a base measurement of 29” (width) by 26” (depth and an inscribed section measurement of 16” by 12”) Orientation: East/West Carver: Griffen & Keltic HX Inscription: "SACRED TO THE MEMORY / OF / SARAH MACMASTER / IN RELIGION / SR. ST. FRANCES OF ROME / CONG. DE NOTRE DAME / DIED JAN 7TH 1906 / AGED 45 YEARS. / R.I.P. / 'THEY / THAT INSTRUCT MANY TO JUSTICE / SHALL SHINE AS STARS FOR ALL ETERNITY'" Condition: The monument has a weathered appearance with moss and lichen covering top and bottom, but it has few chips and cracks. The tombstone of this Congregation of Notre Dame sister, Sarah MacMaster (Sister St. Frances of Rome) is made of marble. It resembles a calvary cross, which is typically a Latin cross standing on three steps or blocks, each signifying faith, hope and love in the Roman Catholic tradition. Sarah's tombstone is highly ornate and eclectic, combining classical, medieval and naturalistic elements. The main face bearing the inscription is highly decorative. It features an Ionic cross (similar in appearance to the medieval Celtic cross) with flaring ends, symbolizing everlasting salvation, love and glory. This symbol is also accentuated with a naturalist leaf and vine motif. This part of the stone is topped by another section ornamented with a eye-catching "M" in "Old English" script and surrounded by a diamond-shaped frame. Above this is another decorative cross, a Fleuree or Gothic cross with flared out ends symbolizing the adult Christian. This section is topped with an ornate pediment and is crowned by the upright cross of the calvary design. This tombstone with its three images of the cross and decorative detailing exemplifies the ecleticism of the late Victorian era with its bold taste for blending historical and cultural styles. Sarah's monument stands out from the more modest, generic tombstones marking the burial sites of local female religious. The stone reflects an interesting dualism. It proclaims her connection to God and her religious life, but it also gives prominence to her pedigree and family attachments. The selection of a C.N.D.'s tombstone often depended on the affluence of her secular family. In Sarah's case, her larger stone embodied the tastes and aspirations of her middle-class background. Sister St. Frances of Rome enjoyed some prestigious connections. One of her brothers was a parish priest in Mabou while another was a doctor in Inverness. Still, she was an impressive person in her own right. According to her obituary, "She was a valuable teacher in the schools at Sydney Mines. Her pupils were endeared to her and by them she was loved." Another newspaper account of her funeral noted, "A large congregation was present at the Mass, everything testifying to the esteem and regard in which the late Sister was held by all". In fact, she had "one of the largest funeral processions ever seen in any town in this county." Lindsay MacDonald [ Back ]