News - May 12, 2011
Holy Week and Easter in Haiti
On Palm Sunday the celebrations began with the parishioners gathering at Calvary, a site on a hillock, where there is a large stone cross, near the centre of Milot. After prayers at Calvary, the priest and people, carrying large palm branches, processed out through an archway, walked through the town and up to the church. On their way to the church they prayed and sang hymns. The church itself was decorated with large pots of palm plants. On Good Friday, there was another procession from Calvary to the church. The procession followed a dusty road in the scorching sun under a deep blue sky. At the church, during the reading of the Gospel, some parishioners dramatized the Passion of Jesus. Pilate was portrayed as a businessman dressed in a smart suit and tie and carrying a shiny briefcase, while Herod was a mayor. At the Veneration of the Cross the people went up in pairs and bowed reverently before the Cross.
On Easter Sunday morning, the church was decorated with flowers, large pot plants and streamers. Children, dresses in white, danced as they led a joyful procession up to the altar to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection.
Jezi te mouri, li leve, Alelouya, Alelouya !
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Alleluia, Alleluia !
Sister Maureen Boggins, CSJP
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