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  St. Joseph Mission and Cemetery, Bertrand
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The Symbols

The Cross
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The most common symbol you will find in the cemetery is that of the cross of Christ.  The hope of the resurrection promised by Jesus Christ was part of the faith shared by the people of this community.
The willow tree and the cross.
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The weeping willow was a sign of mourning but the sadness is tempered by the hope promised by the cross.
The Palm Branch
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The palm branch is a sign of victory for those who have died in the peace of Christ.
Clasped Hands
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The clasped hands is a promise that we will meet our deceased loved one again.
The Dove
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The dove with a bud in its beak is found on a five year old's tombstone.  It is symbolic of a life that was never allowed to blossom in this life being brought to heaven to bloom.
D.O.M.
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The initials D.O.M. is short for the Latin phrase Deo Optimo Maximo which in English means "To God the best, the greatest." 
I.H.S.
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The initials I.H.S. is a monogram of the name Jesus using the English equivalent of the first three letters of Jesus in Greek.
Flowers
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An interesting assortment of cattails, lily of the valley and fern leaves on the Barney headstone is perhaps reminiscent of the wilderness of the St. Joseph Valley of the early 1800s.
A Mystery
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I have not been able to find any information on this odd image on the bottom of the Barney headstone.  It seems to be either a broken bridge or a broken archway, again, with the Lily of the Valley flower and a semicircle in the lower left hand corner.  Your guess is as good as mine!
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