I am sorry that illness prevented me from replying earlier to Professor Courtenay Bartholomew's article in the Catholic News of December 4, "The Laventille Devotions - Time for Change".

"Let the debate begin", the Professor urged, so I am glad to take up the challenge, given my long-term involvement in the affairs of Laventille Shrine since 1943 and, in greater measure, when the Shrine became a parish on November 3, 1950, the feast of the great negro saint, Martin de Porres.

How well I remember Sunday, August 15, 1943 because on that day the Archdiocese was consecrated solemnly to the Immaculate Heart of Mary by Archbishop Finbar Ryan in the Cathedral at a Pontifical High Mass at 9.30 a.m.

At 5.00 p.m. at the final ceremonies of the day at Laventille Shrine, His Grace declared it to be the National Marian Shrine, to the delight of all the pilgrims present and the Laventille community.

This historical information which surprisingly enough was not included in the Professor's article is crucial in countering his "personal opinion" for the change as will be noted towards the end of the article.

As I proceed to build up my argument for the retention of the Laventille Devotions, in honour of Our Lady of Fatima, at the Shrine, I appreciate the extent to which Professor Bartholomew delved into the history of the Shrine at the beginning of his article.

This will be beneficial to the faithful who did not get a copy of the brochure prepared for the celebration of the centenary of the laying of the foundation stone, which included much of the history.

It should be mentioned that on the parchment in the foundation stone (for it is a stone church, not concrete as stated) was written: "This first stone has been laid by Monsignor Louis Joachim Gonin, Archbishop of Port of Spain, with the assistance of their Royal Highness Prince Henry of Bourbon Count of Bardi and Princess Aldegonde of Braganza his wife."

It is surprising that nowhere in the article of this famous Marian devotee was any mention made of the presence of a statue of Our Lady of Fatima (authentic I was advised) in the small shrine built in 1942, adjoining the main one.

Instead, the Professor dealt with the Madonna, Our Lady of Laventille, a huge stone statue which was placed on top of the tower by the firm, Ash & Watson Ltd in 1947.

You see, by not referring to the Fatima statue people who don't know the Shrine will not easily understand the relevance of Fatima devotions there.

I am in agreement with Professor Bartholomew that "for many years now the congregation that gathers on that hill for the Fatima devotion is much smaller that days of yore."

I want to explain that this marked decline was mainly due to the change of devotions from the 13 th of the " Fatima " months (May to October) to the Sunday nearest the 13th.

It really was a wonderful sight to behold the vast number of adults and school children, including the convents - St Joseph and Holy Name - and St Mary's College, wending their way up the steep hill reciting the rosary to honour Our Blessed Mother.

In July 1955, the late Cardinal Stritch of the USA presided over the devotions when it was estimated that a record gathering of 40,000 pilgrims attended. He was very delighted to see so great a proportion of the country's 250,000 Catholics (at the time) lovingly consecrating themselves to her " our life, our sweetness and our hope ."

Why the change from the 13 th ? I remember that a delegation of taxi drivers of the "hill" met with Archbishop Anthony Pantin to complain that the traffic regulations forbade them from plying their taxis between the hours of 4.30 to 6.00 p.m. thereby substantially affecting their earnings on those days.

In addition, it was very uncomfortable and tiring for the residents not attending the devotions to get to their homes far "up the hill" after a day's work. The Archbishop, with tender compassion, solved the problem by authorising the change.

Archbishop Gilbert pins the medal of the Knight of the Order of St Gregory the Great on Errol Cooper for his many years of dedicated service to the Laventille Devotions at the May '05 Devotions.

At this time, I would like strongly to submit the following information, which is not widely known "An immortal link has been forged between Fatima in Portugal and the Fatima Shrine at Laventille in Trinidad.

In September 1953 the Custodian of the Laventille Shrine presented to the then Bishop of Fatima a copy of the Golden Book of Laventille & Fatima.

This Trinidad presentation contained the names of fifty thousand persons of the Archdiocese who pledged to recite the Rosary daily. A stone from Trinidad's Shrine was also brought and included in the renovations (additions) of the Fatima Basilica.

Professor Bartholomew referred to the violence and indiscipline existing at Laventille, however, I can report with certainty that nothing of the sort happens at this sanctuary chosen by Our Lady, and I have been there for sixty years. As the prayer goes:

" O Immaculate Mother of the Son of God from the summit of that hill of Laventille on which thou has designed to choose a sanctuary, cast down thy maternal glance on thy children of Trinidad and Tobago and all who beseech thee .."

I admit that there are crimes committed in Laventille but not in the Fatima zone. Pilgrims are able to attend the devotions at peace and without fear and those Catholics "who would choose to attend the devotions there today - and for understandable reasons" - in my mind are over-reacting. (There goes the unfair stigma labeled on Laventille).

I disagree with the Professor's statement that "the congregation" (I prefer to use the word- pilgrims) "is generally speaking of the faithful older age group, almost the same people every month."

The number of young people attending has been increasing notably, in response to the efforts of the parish priest, Fr Dwight Merck.

I, therfore, am appealing to His Grace the Archbishop not to agree to remove Fatima devotions from the Laventille Shrine. While it is true that other places like those mentioned in the Professor's article may be more comfortable, what about the acts of penance and sacrifice Our Blessed Lady wants us - her children - to exercise.

The devotions must not be taken for granted and there is always need of ongoing development and also promotion in the parishes. As the National Marian Shrine, the premier Marian devotions in the country should appropriately be held there.

It is time that we cease to be delicate members of the Church. Laventille should be a challenge to all Catholics to make the Shrine truly our Mother's home where we meet as brothers and sisters in a civilisation of love.

Why take away from Laventilleans the devotions in which they take so much pride? Their self-esteem is already so dented as they wilt under severe economic hardships. Governments have done so little for them to improve their quality of life.

Finally, there is nothing but gratitude in our hearts for the genuine interest members of the Portuguese community took in the Shrine before it became a parish in November 1950.

They graciously withdrew to allow the parish priest and parishioners to organise the parish in their own style. Yet they held the Shrine in great esteem and this was expressed when Ignatius Ferreira, the Consul of Portugal, donated an organ on the occasions of the Shrine's Centenary celebration in 1986.