Haitian Mass Celebrates 206th Anniversary of the Independence of Haiti
Annual celebration for Haitian Catholic Community
The Catholic faithful filled the pews of St. Francis Xavier Parish on New Years Day not only to celebrate the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God, but to also celebrate the 206th Anniversary of the Independence of Haiti.
The Diocese of Venice Office of the Haitian Apostolate in conjunction with the Haitian Catholic Community annually celebrates this important event which drew more than 1,000 people.
Attendants at the Mass were Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Bishop Thomas Wenski, Bishop of the Dioceses of Orlando, along with eight other priests from across the Diocese of Venice.
“Having Bishop Dewane and Bishop Wenski was a special treat for the people,” said Father Jean-Marie Fritz Ligonde, Director of the Diocese Haitian Apostolate and Administrator of St. Finbarr Parish in Naples. “To have Bishop Wenski say the homily in Creole thrilled the congregation. It was a great day and the rain never dampened the spirit of the people.”
The Choir sang in Creole as children danced their way up the aisle to present the gifts to both Bishops.
In his closing remarks, Bishop Dewane thanked the congregation and all the priests who ministered to this small but active community of faithful within the Diocese of Venice.
Parishes with large Haitian communities arranged buses for people to attend the Mass and reception that followed.
It was in 1803 that the Haitians defeated the largest and most powerful army at the time, the army of Napoleon, in Cap-Haitien. Haiti became the first IndependentRepublic of black people and the second country in the Americas to declare its Independence.
