Today marks the start of the Laventille Devotions, with a difference.

Fr Dwight Merrick parish priest of the Laventille-Morvant Pastoral Area has outlined a new format for the 2006 devotions, which will begin each month with a procession to the Laventille Shrine.

This month the procession, which is expected to take under two hours, starts at 1.00 p.m., from the Spree Simon Junction and then moves up the hill by way of Picton Road.

People of Praise Community will provide musical accompaniment for this month's walk to the Shrine. Secured parking will be provided for maxis and private cars of those wishing to participate in the procession, at the Cathedral car park from 12.15 p.m.

Praying for the nation, in the grip of the difficult crime situation, is the aim and theme of the processions. The route of the procession will change each month to allow for participation by pilgrims and residents of the various communities at the base of the Laventille Hill.

Devotional prayers and intercessions will be conducted at the Shrine, between 3.00 and 4.00 p.m. Mass, inclusive of the special homily, will begin at 4.15 p.m. As usual, the Sacrament of Confession will be available for pilgrims from 2.00 p.m.

Fr Merrick has said this year's exercise is intended to be “new in its expression, new in its method and hopefully its zeal,” and is a response to the call of the late Pope John Paul II to a new evangelisation.