Author Archives: Felician Mission: Haiti

Living at Sacred Heart Parish we see and hear how people get involved in worship for the Sunday Masses. Everyday we hear a choir practice from different groups, the children, youth, or adults. Choir practices is very important, they usually last a few hours and so do the Masses.

Last Sunday we attended Mass in the Bishop’s chapel and a new choir was introduced, the first ever men’s chorale. After Mass, the Bishop invited the members of the choir, their sponsors, families and us to his house for a reception.

Claire and Gail are two young adults we met three weeks ago at St. Michael’s parish. Sunday we met them again and they expressed a desire to come and pray with us when we move into our new home. Even though where we are presently live our hosts are very gracious, we still cannot wait to have our own Felician home.

Our new teacher is Jacques Africot. He is married and has one daughter. Jacques is the director of an orphanage near Jacmel where there are 12 children. He says he has 13 children God has given him to take care of. He comes to us by taxi, this means by motorcycle, five days a week. We feel like little children back in school reading simple primary books and stories. This is a very good way to keep learning new words. “Unless you become like little children…”

During the earthquake on January 12, 2010 the Missionaries of Charities here in Jacmel lost their home. For three years they lived in a makeshift barricks. In a few days they will move into their new home that was built by a construction company from the Dominican Republic which uses different
materials and techniques that are earthquake resistant. We are learning from different religious communities what are the necessary things to have for your home in Haiti, like bars on the windows, water tanks, generator, and steel doors. Below are pictures from our visit with them.

Sometimes we have to stop our prayer or activities because by our feet we have unwelcome visitors. We don’t have enough knowledge yet which are dangerous which are friendly. For this reason he lost his life.

Last night we went to the building that is now the worship space of the Cathedral of Sts. James and Philip. The cathedral of Jacmel was severely damaged in the earthquake and cannot be used. We participated in 2 1/2 hours of charismatic prayer and Eucharistic adoration. We were moved by the faith of the people and the solemnity of the Eucharistic procession. Slowly but surely we are beginning to understand more of what is being prayed and preached.

We hear that these days are the most important days of celebration for Haitian people. But we would not know it if we only look for the external signs. We are used to seeing many large gatherings in the Church, people on the streets, fireworks, parties, and the media reporting all that goes on in bringing in the new year. Here in Haiti nothing like this is really present. We wonder if this is due to the country’s poverty and experience of much suffering.

We are learning that the religious communities bring to God’s people joy by organizing activities in the Church, such as Bingo, gathering the children, youth and adults for fun activities, games and dancing. The religious communities also gather among themselves to share a meal and dancing. We had the opportunity to participate in such a gathering with the Sisters of Loretto. They live in the mountains and the people in the villages depend on them. For example while we were there a small boy was brought to the sisters who had broken his leg. You could see he was in agony; he was semiconscious. The sisters knew he had to be taken to the hospital. So they put a makeshift splint on it and he was taken by motorcycle to town which is 45 minutes away on very bad roads. Then after dinner a young girl came to the door with a swollen hand. She had a burn that was infected. One of the sister’s was able to help her.

We were able to visit their school and their new dispensary that was just built by a group from Spain. We hope to keep learning and knowing what will be ours to do as we share the presence of Christ to all and meet him in His people.

The history of pumpkin soup begins with the celebration of Haitian Independence in 1804. On Jan. 1, 1804, Haitians worked together to create a unique soup to celebrate their independence from the French Colonists. Until that time, the Colonists believed that the blacks under their rule could never work together to create anything. Today, the traditional pumpkin soup known as “soup joumou,” is made and served to friends and family in Haiti in remembrance of their fight for freedom.

While under French Colonial rule, Haitians were limited to eating a bland bread soup. They would not have been permitted to eat such an extravagant meal comprised of pumpkin, beef stock and other vegetables. This unique soup was created as a symbol of unity in the face of adversity. It was served to everyone at the first Independence celebration and Haitians continue this tradition today.

Haitians believe the fight for equality isn’t over yet. They believe the pumpkin soup gives them courage to persevere over oppression, both now and in the future.

We look forward to joining in this tradition here in Haiti.

On Friday, December 28, feast of the Holy Innocents we began our day with prayer joining the universal Church remembering all children throughout the world who have lost their lives through senseless violence. We especially remembered the children and adults from Newtown, Ct.

Here in Haiti, this feast is a special day of prayer with children. It begins with Mass, followed by activities.

We have been in Haiti for four months and this was the first time we were able to go for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, led by Bishop Launay Saturne. Soon we will have our own chapel and be able to have daily exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.