In the sanctuary of the church there are six statued saints that keep a watchful vigil, welcoming all those who enter the church. These statues are beautiful works of art, each with its own place and purpose not only in the church but in the lives of the people who live in Ponteix. 

 

 

 

St. John the Baptist

 

St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of French-Speaking Canada, is a symbolic reminder of the communities French heritage. This history began with Fr. Royer and the many French families who settled in the area. The town, Ponteix, even gets its name from the parish in France where Fr. Royer once lived. 

In this statue St. John holds a cross to foretell of the death of Christ; the Lamb of God who sits at his feet.

 

 

Situated above the tabernacle are the statues of St. Joseph and Jesus. To the left of the tabernacle is St. Joseph, the patron of Canada, who holds the Christ Child in his arms. To the right is the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

 

 

 

 

St. Anne

 

On the other side of the church situated above the Baptismal Font is the statue of St. Anne. Standing next to her daughter Mary seen here as a child. “This mother-daughter replica was a gift from Les Dames de Ste. Anne, a past women’s organization in the Parish.”

Again, we see the heavy French heritage of the region in the person of St. Anne who is the patron Saint of  Quebec and Brittany, as well as women in labor.

 

 

St. Anthony (Antoine)

 

St. Anthony, who also is situated above the Baptismal Font, was donated in 1927 to mark the ordination of Fr. Antoine Poirier. Fr. Poirier was the first priest to be ordained in Ponteix, however, his ordination had to take place in the Parish Hall.

After the previous church had burnt down the parish hall was built before the current church. As a result, the hall was used for church services while construction of the current church progressed.

 

 

St. Isidore

 

Finally we come around to St. Isidore the Farmer. St. Isidore speaks to the rural and agricultural heritage that to this day governs life in the region. St. Isidore was know for his compassion and care for the poor as well as his  great devotion to God. The legend of St. Isidore says that he attended mass everyday and even at work in the feilds he would pray, but his work never suffered. It was said that angels would help him plough the fields so that he was able to produce more then his share.

  St. Isidore is seen here holding a spade for working the soil, and in his arms and at his feet are sheaves of wheat.