VACHERIE — Through Nov. 3, St. Joseph Plantation is holding its annual “Mourning Tour” featuring the customs and rituals of 18th and 19th century Creole Louisiana.

The house will be “dressed in full deep mourning”, according to the old prescribed protocol of mourning

You will be both educated and entertained by these participating re-enactments. There will be people portraying Dr. Cazemir Bernard Mericq and Josephine Aime Ferry who lived at St. Joseph at different times.  Please come visit us during the month of October for our “Mourning Tour.”

In the early days of the 18th and 19th Century, the Creoles of Louisiana were predominantly of French, German and Spanish descent. These families, whose parents and grandparents had settled in New Orleans and the surrounding areas of South Louisiana, were all Roman Catholic. Their religion was woven deeply into the fabric of their daily lives. On Sunday, buggies were full of families making their way to the various Catholic Parish Churches to attend Mass.

Images of Jesus, Mary, St. Joseph and the other Saints were as much a part of the decorations of these homes as the pictures of family members. A Prie Dieu was visible in every bedroom. Morning, evening, and before meal prayers, rosaries and holy candles also made up the patterns of daily life in these homes. In the city and on the plantation, these customs were devoutly followed.

In death as in life, these Catholic families of old Louisiana practiced customs and rituals that were followed for generations by their ancestors. Of course with the much shorter life expectancy of those days, family members were in mourning a considerable amount of their life. A widow would be in deep mourning for a whole year. Black garments were required at all times. Black dress of a reflective nature could be worn but only after the first six months. Children and servants were also required to dress the part.

Holy Days were also very important and November 1st, All Saints’ Day, (“La Toussaint”), was one of the most celebrated Holy Days of the year. Weeks before, family tombs were cleaned, repaired, and white-washed in preparation of this much anticipated annual event. On All Saints Day, whole families could be seen visiting their family tombs. Families and friends visited with the living as well as paid respects to the departed. This custom, although modified somewhat by modern life, is still very strong in South Louisiana today.

St. Joseph Plantation is located at 3535 Highway 18 in Vacherie. Call 225-265-4078.