On Good Friday, it is holy tradition in Jacmel that the people gather at 6:00 a.m. to walk the Way of the Cross. Thousands of people gathered to pray and to stop at each Station that people in different neighborhoods had created. The youth of the city re-enacted each moment of Christ’s Way of the Cross. The service finished at 11:30 a.m., after which all then prepared to go to their parishes for the 3:00 p.m. Good Friday services.
On Thursday, March 24, in the morning, the Diocese of Jacmel gathered to celebrate the Chrism Mass. It was during this special celebration with the Bishop that the oils to be used for the Easter Vigil and the sacraments were consecrated and our priests renewed their commitment to the Bishop and the Diocese.
In the evening, we participated in the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Sacred Heart Church in the next town. This was the Parish where we stayed for a month when we first came to Jacmel. It was a beautiful service that lasted three hours. The reverence and the call to servant leadership was an invitation given to all of us. As we celebrated the gift of Eucharist, we then entered these solemn days of the Lord’s suffering and passion.
Lord Jesus, help us to respect the dignity of each person we meet…even amidst the face of the world’s terror and violence which we experienced this week in Belgium. This Triduum help each of us — especially those who are victims of terror — to trust in God’s boundless mercy, to reach out to all those in need, and to open ourselves to the goodness of one another. Thank you for the gift of Eucharist. May our families, neighbors, friends, our church community each be united as members of your body. Help us, Lord, to recognize and revere your presence when people reach towards others and seek to include them in the benefits of our community. May we help to build and support and celebrate the community that you would have us become. 🙏🏽🍞🍷Do this in remembrance of me!
On Saturday afternoon, May 19, our young people gathered to commemorate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem with blessed palm branches, the reading of the Passion, and the Celebration of the Eucharist. With the help of our young people, we prepared the palms, while others prepared the readings.
Three years ago on the Feast of St. Joseph, we began the Mother Angela Mobile Clinic in the Diocese of Jacmel. As of today, the clinic goes to twelve places in the mountains, providing medical care and medication to the poor. We started with one doctor, one nurse, a pharmacist and a driver. Now, because of the many people we serve, we have two doctors and an extra nurse who assists two days a week.
We continue to ask for 100 gourdes (less then $2) for consultation and whatever medications the patient needs. Of course, if our people cannot pay anything, the service is still provided. Our clinic goes to various chapels in the mountains to serve the needs of the sick.
It is because of people like you, who help us with your donations, that we can provide this needed mission in Haiti. We pray for all of you everyday and ask St. Joseph to intercede for you. May God bless you!
On Monday, March 14, our teens, who are participating in the Faith Formation Progarm and preparing for Confirmation, participated in a Penance Service in our chapel. The teens always come to opportunities like this dressed in their Sunday best. This shows a reverence and respect for Church. Father Valle, a newly-ordained priest, once again led the service. He shared with us the importance of confession and our need for mercy.
Last night, I was also able to experience the grace of confession. As he gave me the absolution, Father placed his purple stole upon my head. I experienced a profound grace as I prayed that our young people would also have such an experience. This gesture reminded me of something our Holy Father, Pope Francis, said: “I have always been moved by the gesture in the tradition of Eastern churches, where the confessor welcomes the penitent by putting his stole over the penitent’s head and an arm around his shoulder, as if embracing him. It is the physical representation of acceptance and mercy. We are reminded that we are not there to be judged. It’s true that there is always a certain amount of judgment in confession, but there is something greater than judgment that comes into play. It is being face-to-face with someone who acts in persona Christi to welcome and forgive you. It is an encounter with mercy.” (Excerpt From: Pope Francis & Oonagh Stransky. “The Name of God Is Mercy.” )
Do you remember our Afterschool Program? This is where our teens are helping our young kids with their studies, homework and preparation for their quarterly exams.
On Thursday, March 10, our teens responsible for helping the children led a meeting with the parents. We began with prayer and then shared our concerns and need for collaboration.
The parents are very grateful for the time and space here on our grounds for their children to do their homework. Most of them, if not all of them, do not even have a table to work and write upon.
On Monday, March 7, five of our teenage boys met in our chapel for their first class to learn to become altar servers for our Saturday evening Masses which are celebrated in our chapel. These five boys received the Sacrament of Baptism and Communion last year at the Easter Vigil. They now are preparing for Confirmation.
Alex, who is the head altar server of St. Michael’s Parish, together with Jerry, conducted the class. The boys were given the importance of serving at the altar of God and their call to be good examples for others.
As you can see, they came to the meeting in their Sunday best. This tells us they are taking this privilege and call seriously.
Sister Adrianna made it through her first week here at the mission in Jacmel. She has found helping in the Mother Angela kitchen a joy.
She is participating in our activities by being present to all our kids, by preparing for Mass, by checking our new property to see if they started construction, and by visiting with Bishop Launay. She is also learning that, when washing dishes here, you need to use Clorox for the rinse water.
Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti 