Fèt Notre Dame Lachandlè-Warm Up Activities

Every Catholic parish in Haiti has a feast day and that day is an occasion for great celebration. Actually, the celebration starts nine days before.

The Catholic parish in Gros Morne is called Notre Dame Lachandlè (Our Lady of the Light) and its Feast Day (Fèt) is celebrated on Feb. 2, the Presentation of the Lord/Purification of the Virgin Mary. This is not just singing a few hymns and hanging up a few signs.  This is a CELEBRATION.  So much so that even the voodoo priests get in on the action. 

The first thing you notice, besides the banners hung across the main streets, is the proliferation of little booths along the side the road by the Church.  You can find just about anything in the shops but the ones closest to the Church seem to specialize in holy cards, rosaries and rum.  As to the rosaries, Sr. Pat said you need to check to make sure there are 5 decades, otherwise you could end up with a voodoo rosary.  I told you the voodoo guys get in on the action.

Pilgrims come in from all over the greater Gros Morne area, believing that they will receive special blessings. People originally from Gros Morne or who have family here come from everywhere, even the States.  I saw at least 5 bright shiny cars with Avis Rental stickers on them.  I’d never even seen one such car here before.

Starting nine days before the Feast Day, the novena starts.  Every evening between about 6:00 PM and 10:30PM or even later, the church is PACKED with people participating in the prayers.  There is music and singing and preaching and waving of hands etc, etc.

Sr. Pat, Jen, Aileen, and I, went to the novena one night.  That was an experience.  The place was absolutely packed, even just the courtyard area in front of the church. (Pilgrims who come to town for the event are allowed to sleep there).  We finally managed to get into the church but it was crazy.  You literally couldn't see your feet on the ground so you kind of had to walk by braille.  The vestibule area is under construction so it is treacherous even in the broad daylight.  The fact that some people were sitting didn't help a bit. I kept a hold of Sr. Pat the entire time, worried she'd get knocked over or something.  It was really hard just to keep upright. We never actually made it into the church proper but we did get to a step like place so we could at least see something.  The people were really into it, singing and waving their hands in the air .......when they weren't pushing, shoving, grabbing, etc.  It was a stampede waiting to happen.  We didn't stay long.

NEXT-The 4 hour Mass on the Feast Day.

One night of the Novena as viewed from the way back

Vendors on the street outside the church