by Dick Matulis

Thursday, July 16, afforded us an opportunity to visit the St. Andrew’s section of our parish on the occasion of the Annual Lantern Festival conducted on the grounds of the Forest Hills Cemetery from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. My wife Joan and I attended the event accompanied by fellow parishioners Bob and Mary-Jo Carrigan. The weather was a most pleasant surprise and afforded a perfect evening for the festivities.

With anticipated attendance of around 5,000, the cemetery staff and its volunteers were ready to handle the crowd, charging a $5 parking fee and directing cars to a specific area.

Forest Hills Cemetery is a sprawling 250-acre final place of internment filled with history and tradition, and it served as an appropriate site for the evening’s activities. The center of activity was around Lake Hibiscus where a stage was located for various groups to perform traditional ceremonies. Participants included Chu Ling Dance Academy, Academy of Kobudo Samurai, Taico Drumming and Martial Arts, Passion East Educational Performances, Ron Murphy and New Life Experience, and Showa Boston for Language and Culture.

Visitors were encouraged to bring picnic lunches. A quick glance at those assembled seemed to reveal multi-culturalism at its finest, with an age span from tots to seniors, along with many family groups. Attendees could obtain a membership in the Forest Hills Trust or pay a $10 fee for a lantern shade that could be inscribed by calligraphers with a choice of symbols representing love, hope, peace, or eternal spirit.

Tables were set up and had magic markers on them for participants to write their own personal messages on their lantern shade. This, in turn, could be fitted over a wooden frame with a soon-to-be lit candle. Visitors were encouraged to place their candles on the lake as dusk approached. This created an impressive sight of lanterns flowing on the lake with a beautiful backdrop.

A final announcement on the public address system indicated that the ceremonies were concluded and that the cemetery’s gates would soon be closing. Fortunately, we had heeded the caveat that we bring flashlights. Our car was parked close-by, and we were within a road or two from the alternate cemetery gate on Walk Hill Street.

Knowing that a “Who’s Who” of distinguished celebrities had been interred on these holy grounds, there was a mysterious aura as we departed from this evening well spent. We were encouraged in the brochure to take advantage of the many special events and tours available throughout the year. Forest Hills Cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it actually abuts St. Andrew’s property.

I strongly recommend that you add next year’s Lantern Festival to your calendar of events. It is a wonderful way to spend a contemplative and interesting summer’s eve.