Archbishop Edward Gilbert has lauded Catholics who participate in Marian Devotions for their commitment and witness.

“I am grateful to the community that gathers here and at Palmiste, La Romaine…I thank you for your witness of faith, which helps people who are searching for meaning and struggling with life”, he said. It gave people a sense of hope, he added, as he delivered the sermon during the closing Mass of the 2006 series of Laventille Devotions last Sunday.

The Zion and Eternal Light Communities led the praying of the Glorious Mysteries at the final devotions. During the last decade, those who attended the crusade at the St Barb’s basketball court arrived.

The crusade which began at 1.00 p.m. was attended by some 300 persons. Winston Garcia of the People of Praise community was the main speaker. Members of the Charismatic Renewal, guided by Deborah de Rosia were present to pray with people during the crusade.

At the Shrine, the archbishop had earlier conducted Benediction, during which he carried the Blessed Sacrament to the elderly and infirm in the nearby hall. Mucurapo Junior Secondary teachers and students led the singing.

Concelebrants were Msgr Urban Peschier and Frs Christian Chambers and Ian Taylor. Fr Taylor proclaimed the gospel.

There was, as expected, a large turnout for the conclusion of the 2006 Laventille Devotions, with the archbishop having closed the Palmiste Devotions two days earlier (October 13).

He said the Marian devotions were unique to this archdiocese, and described the period May to October every year as a special time for the local Church as it was “a time of grace, a time of prayer, a time of reflection, a time of a recommitment to the Immaculate Heart of Mary”.

He said some people stopped praying if they felt their prayers were not answered. Labelling this as “spiritual consumerism”, Archbishop Gilbert said this type of prayer was foreign to the Catholic Tradition, which preaches “prayer in trust and without time limits”. The Laventille and Palmiste Devotions were therefore true to Catholicism, he added.

He said Marian devotions at both locations were “a monthly journey of faith” and a specific form of evangelisation.

In his sermon, the archbishop also recognised and thanked the many schools that led or sang during this year’s devotions, and expressed his gratitude to the coordinating priest, Fr Dwight Merrick, and the organising committee for their willingness to change the format. He said the changes have ensured the devotions remained both “ecclesial and apostolic”.

In previous years, the format comprised Mass, followed by devotions, then the sermon. This year, the format began with a procession to the Shrine during which there was praise and worship, then devotions; the sermon was included in the Mass.

Speaking briefly on the First Reading, Archbishop Gilbert said wisdom was a gift from God and people should be wary of “the wisdom of the world which blinds us and deafens us to the wisdom of God”. He also spoke on the Second Reading and the Gospel.

Once again, he urged laity to get involved in the various ministries of the archdiocese to move the archdiocese forward.

He said: “The Scriptures challenge us to move beyond where we are to where we are to be. Pray to obtain the gifts of wisdom, the gifts of freedom.” - RS

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