By most ancient tradition, this is the night of keeping vigil for the Lord (Ex 12:42), in which, following the Gospel admonition (Lk 12:35-37), the faithful, carrying lighted lamps in their hands, should be like those looking for the Lord when He returns, so that at His coming He may find them awake and have them sit at His table.
After the Liturgy of the Word, we had 30 people welcomed into the Church with Baptism, Confirmation and Communion.
We keep the tradition here in Haiti!
The afternoon was quiet and still when all gathered at 3 p.m. for the celebration of the Passion. The Word of God was proclaimed, the intercessions for the world prayed, the showing of the holy cross was adored, and all then received Holy Communion.
How do we respond differently to all this, how can we respond with love and mercy like Jesus shows us today? Jesus never fought back, he allowed the violence to touch him. “In a time like ours, so torn by hatred and violence, where even the name of God is invoked to justify wars and decisions of death, we Christians are called to approach the Cross of the Lord. We are to do so without fear and with full confidence, knowing that the “throne” from which one learns to reign, is that where we placing our lives at the service of others.” Fr. Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap
It began early in the morning when the city gathered beneath the cross.
Our kids from Faith formation gathered with us in their yellow and blue shirts to pray the Stations of the Cross.
We adore you, Christ, and we praise you. Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.
Jesus continues to stoop, to wash us, to serve us, to sanctify us, and to love us through the priesthood and the Eucharist.
We began with a simple prayer service remembering how Jesus gathered His disciples on this day. We listened to the Word of God, shared how we wash other’s feet here in the mission, broke bread, and shared the cup of wine. Let us remember we re called to love and respect one another and all who come to the Felician Mission.
Today Sister Inga, Fritz, Gaelle and Tchery went to the market to purchase soap and toilet paper. All the church’s in Jacmel have been asked to donate to the Jacmel prison these needed items. We also will be giving five buckets and filters for clean water which they do not have. This is another opportunity to be about the ministry of presence. In the afternoon, the coordinator of the project took the soap and paper to the prison.
Long before dawn on Sunday, March 29, the lecture, palms, podium and microphone were set. A last-minute sweeping from the nightfall of flowers finished, and the people began to gather as the main gate was opened.
Over 300 people gathered in the mission street as they awaited for solemn procession to begin.
Bishop Glandas began:
Dear brothers and sisters,
since the beginning of Lent until now
we have prepared our hearts by penance and charitable works.
Today we gather together to herald with the whole Church the beginning of the celebration of our Lord’s Paschal Mystery, that is to say, of his Passion and Resurrection. For it was to accomplish this mystery that he entered his own city of Jerusalem.
Therefore, with all faith and devotion,
let us commemorate the Lord’s entry into the city for our salvation,
following in his footsteps, so that, being made by his grace partakers of the Cross, we may have a share also in his Resurrection and in his life.
Our palms were blessed and the Gospel of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem was read. Like the crowds who acclaimed Jesus in Jerusalem, we began our journey in peace.
On the Tuesday before Holy Week, the Faith Formation classes watched different presentations, sharing the story of the Triduum, the days of Jesus’ Last Supper, death and Resurrection.
Everyone received the schedule for the services and the traditional Way of Cross in the city of Jacmel.
On Saturday, March 21, the Mother Angela Clinic celebrated 12 years of service in healing the sick in the Diocese of Jacmel. Priests from the parishes we serve and those responsible for the chapels the clinic visits were invited for Mass and a reception after.
Signs were created by Rosemarie and Fernando.
Food was prepared by Gaelle and her team of young people.
The Mass was of the day celebrated by Father Lesley a friend of the Mother Angela Clinic since its beginning.
“Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!” Matthew 25:23
Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti 