Novena Masses and Sunday Mass at Baptiste

First I have to explain that there is a novena (9 days) of Masses before the patronal feast.  This does not include Sunday Mass, thus Friday and Saturday were the 8^th and 9^th days of the novena. Friday, Mass was to start at 7 pm with Fr. KeKe as the main celebrant with Fr. Cassagnol (Fr. Cassa for short)  co-presiding.  Before Mass, a young man spoke to parishioners, kind of like at a revival.  He would ask a question and they would respond enthusiastically waving their arms above their heads in adoration.  The energy in the congregation was palpable.  Mass began closer to 7:30 when the choir entered, followed by beautiful liturgical dancers, showing their love for God in their dance.  

The readings were different than the readings in the lectionary.  The gospel was the story of the centurion asking Jesus for the healing of a member of his household, telling Jesus that he wasn’t worthy for Jesus to come to his house, but he knew that Jesus could just give the command and she would be healed.  Fr. KeKe gave a homily about faith, that there are three kinds of faith: faith in family, faith in material things and spiritual faith. Now perhaps faith is not the only translation of lafwa, but, as I understood (or maybe didn’t), he said that while all three are necessary parts of life, spiritual faith is the most important.  That is all that I can be sure of in his homily.  The rest of the Mass proceeded with beautiful, energetic yet devout singing, accompanied by a keyboard, a couple of electric guitars, tambous (Haitian drums), a drum set and a saxophone.  At the end we sang “Alleluia Jezi   Fos!” meaning “alleluia, Jesus my strength!”  I could not help feeling richly blessed to be in the middle of these sisters and brothers, sharing their faith and their celebration.

Saturday’s mass was also scheduled for 7 pm.  I arrived early so I could get an aisle seat, prized territory as many people had already claimed seats on the aisle.  I sat toward the back, hoping to be able to take some photos in the waning light.  When I arrived, the people were saying the rosary. Vibrant, up-tempo rhythmic singing surrounded me.  People were so joyful in the Lord!  Across the aisle was a mother with a toddler, a little girl who kept escaping down the aisle.  

I enjoyed watching her antics, remembering when my children were that small and just wanted to be on the go.  Other mothers helped by catching her and bringing her back to her mother.  One mother in the choir handed her baby of to a woman who beckoned for the baby.  Everyone seemed to know everyone else.  The offertory procession was truly that, the works of the people's hands, fruits and vegetables and even a goat!  

Near the end of the Mass around 9:15 the rain began.  It RAINED and RAINED so hard that it was difficult to hear anything else.  I wondered what would happen: would people make a run for it or wait out the rain?  Fr. Cassa began a song which the congregation took up.  Soon, there was dancing in the aisles, with joyful arms raised in praise to God.  About 45 minutes later, the Mass ended and we walked quickly back to the rectory when the rain had lessened somewhat.

Fr. Cassa had informed everyone on Saturday that Mass on Sunday and Monday, the day of the Patronal Feast, would begin promptly at 9 am.  I arrived a few minutes before 9 to a nearly empty church which allowed me an aisle seat near the front.  Fr. Philogene was the celebrant.  Fr. Cassa introduced me and told me that Fr. Philogene works with him, and with Fr. KeKe on the Pastoral Commission for Youth, of which Fr. Cassa is responsible at the national level, and Fr. KeKe for the diocese of Hinche.  Fr. Philogene had traveled all the way from Cap Haitien to be here, a very long way!   Surprisingly (for me), when mass finally began near 10 am, it was not as packed as it has been for the last two days.  Still the music was so beautiful, it seemed to embrace me.  The cantor:

The lectors at all of the masses were children:

Fr. Philogene’s homily on the Pharisee and the publican centered on the importance of humility for everyone, including the officials of the church.  Another beautiful celebration!