Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti

On Wednesday, May 27, the Felician Mission celebrated a memorial Mass for Fabiola Etienne. She died at the age of 22, after a two-month illness. She suffered complications after childbirth. Due to the poor health conditions here in Haiti, no doctor was able to treat her high blood pressure and heart condition. The funeral was outside of the city far away and our young people could not participate.

We met Fabiola when she was a young teenager in 2013, when we first arrived in Jacmel. She participated in our tutoring program and sang in our choir when we lived in our first house. After that, we moved to the current mission site, and we lost touch with Fabiola. However, we were always in contact with her mother and brother. Fabiola was smart and did well in school; and she graduated from high school. Two months ago she became the mother of a little boy.

Family and friends participated in the memorial Mass, about 50 participants in all.

After Mass, we had the sharing of memories.

On Saturday, May 23, at 8 p.m. the young adult ministry at the Haiti Mission gathered for prayer for the Vigil of Pentecost. The young adults prepared the sacred space and even the food for the Agape meal after the 3-hour vigil.

The Pentecost Vigil began at the grotto of Mary, after the example of the Apostles and disciples, who with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, persevered in prayer, awaiting the Spirit promised by the Lord. We then processed to the activity center with lighted candles, like them, to listen with quiet hearts to the Word of God. The young adults took turns in preparing an admonition before each Scriptural reading on how many great deeds God in times past did for his people praying that the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sent as the first fruits for those who believe, may bring to perfection his work in the world.

May 1 is the celebration of Labor Day in Haiti. It is a very special day for the Diocese of Jacmel; it is also the day we celebrate the feast of Sts. Philip and James. On this day, there is no work; it is holiday for all. The Cathedral Parish celebrates with the people of God, inviting the Police Chief and all politicians.

The offertory procession was a procession of the fruits and vegetables from the earth.

The choir sang beautifully, filling all of Jacmel with the sound of God’s glory!

Bon fèt!

We are very proud of our Madonna University graduate, Edwina. She finished her courses last December and is a 2026 Graduate of Madonna University, Livonia, Michigan. In January, she got a job in a bank. Her skills, leadership, and knowledge of three languages raised her to supervisor. We congratulate Edwina and continue to pray for her and her family.

During the months of January and February, Jean Marc Julien from Chicago, Illinois, together with Peterson, supervisor of the Felician Mission Computer lab, led an online class on Web Development. Jean Marc is a Haitian American whose dream is to PAY-IT-FORWARD for the people of his country. God had plans for him as he got to know us through Peterson, who took one of his online courses a year ago. This team is a match made in Heaven. For seven weeks, eight students with some understanding of the computer participated.

On Monday, April 27, the group met for a graduation ceremony to be recognized for their accomplishment and to receive a certificate of completion of the course.

Two members of the class could not make it for the ceremony but were with us in spirit.

After the ceremony, the group celebrated with sandwiches, soda, and one of Sister Julitta’s famous cakes.

Everyday we welcome mothers in need, maybe for food, clothing or medical care.

On the vigil of the Second Sunday of Easter, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday some of our young adults for Mass in our chapel.

On Divine Mercy Sunday we gathered at 3 p.m. the Hour of Mercy for a Holy Hour and praying the chaplet of Mercy.

“I am love and mercy itself. … Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. … My mercy is greater than your sins, and those of the entire world. … I let My Sacred Heart be pierced with a lance, thus opening wide the source of mercy for you. Come then with trust to draw graces from this fountain. … The graces of My mercy are drawn by the means of one vessel only, and that is trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive.”

From our mango and papaya trees!