Lac-Megantic prepares to mark sad anniversary

LAC-MEGANTIC - Lac-Megantic is preparing to mark the sad anniversary of the rail disaster of July 6, which claimed 47 lives.

On the religious front, two masses will be celebrated on July 6 at St. Agnes Church.

The first, called Mass Comfort, will take place at midnight, on the night of July 5 to 6. The tragedy occurred shortly after 1 a.m. that morning.

The second, a memorial service, will be held at 11 a.m. on July 6.

Parish priest Steve Lemay told The Canadian Press that the two ceremonies will be a sober moment to promote contemplation, meeting the wishes of the Lac-Mégantic community. The ceremonies have been planned since Christmas, he said.

Father Lemay said St. Agnes Church will be the main memorial site, since it has become ‘the image of the city’, since several gatherings took place there.

An outdoor walk is also expected early in the evening on July 6, to remember the victims.

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  Rescue workers and police officers stand at guard in front of Ste-Agnes church during a memorial service for the 47 victims of a train derailment explosion in Lac-Megantic, Que., Saturday, July 27, 2013. (Jacques Boissinot / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  Digitanies attend a memorial service for the victims of the July 6 train derailment that killed an estimated 47 people Saturday, July 27, 2013 in Lac-Megantic, Que. (Paul Chiasson / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  Two women hug as they walk out of church following a memorial service for the 47 victims of a train derailment explosion in Lac-Megantic, Que., Saturday, July 27, 2013. (Jacques Boissinot / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  People comfort each other in front of the St-Agnes church during a vigil for the victims of the train crash Lac-Megantic, Que., Friday, July 12, 2013. (Jacques Boissinot / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  People gather in front of the St-Agnes church during a vigil to the victims of the train crash Lac-Megantic, Que., on Friday, July 12, 2013. (The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot)