This year’s series of Marian Devotions at the National Shrine in Laventille concluded last Sunday with a call by main celebrant and homilist Archbishop Edward Gilbert for Catholics to pattern their spirituality on Mary.

Preaching the homily, the archbishop spoke of five values of Mary’s spirituality which Catholics can imitate. Mentioning the “Think Four” Formula for catechists, he dubbed the five values the “Think Five” Formula - PRESENCE, PRAYER, CHARITY, WITNESS and MISSION.

“It applies to each one of us,” he remarked before speaking a bit on each. He emphasised Presence and Witness, citing the May to October devotions as a sign of witness to the Laventille community. He said being present to others in their life struggles was also important.

Earlier in his sermon, the archbishop said all people are called to salvation, and our response must be with “faith, trust and obedience”.

Focussing on the readings of the day, the archbishop urged all to remember to thank God for answering our prayers: “There is a need for explicit gratitude in prayer.”

Choir at last Sunday's Fatima devotions at Laventille

Archbishop Gilbert also spoke of openness to others seeking God. “Nothing you can do or imagine can alienate us from Jesus Christ”, he said, stressing however the need for continuous repentance.

He said people “who mess up their lives, sometimes can’t believe God wants them back.” But we must help welcome them back into the Christian life, he added.

Archbishop Gilbert was not expected to preside as he had planned to be in St Lucia for the Pontifical Mass and Presentation of Coadjutor Archbishop Robert Rivas OP.

He cancelled his trip, however, to attend last Monday’s funeral Mass of former Metropolitan Tribunal judge, Fr Malcolm de Verteuil. As the Mass in St Lucia was being held around the same time, prayers were offered for Archbishop Rivas; Fr de Verteuil was also remembered in prayer by Catholic faithful.

The rainy weather and overcast conditions throughout the day may have dissuaded some from attending, but there was a good crowd for the year’s final devotions.

Teams of Our Lady couples and their children, with regional coordinators Jeffrey and Pasquauna Hoford present, led the recitation of the Rosary. Ministries and organisations that fall under the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission were responsible for leading devotions in 2007.

A combined choir from the Laventille/Morvant Pastoral Area led the singing in the absence of the scheduled choir. Choir members also did the readings and intercessory prayers.

Before Mass, Fr John Theodore CSSp encouraged all to become part of, and support the efforts of the National Rosary Crusade. In his talk, he said human means  - weapons and technology – cannot end crime, because crime is caused by sin and evil. “Christians must get serious about crime and to do that, we have to pray more”.

Giving the final blessing, Archbishop Gilbert bid farewell to all till May 2008, promising a new and improved sound system. - RS

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Archbishop: Do we live what we pray?

By Claudette Gentle

Friday, October 12, was the day designated by the people of the South to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. As in previous years, Archbishop Gilbert joined us for the devotions, celebrating Holy Mass, with Fr Urban Hudlin, OP, parish priest of St Benedict’s Church, La Romaine where the devotions were held.

The evening of October 12 was cool and clear despite earlier threatening bad weather. For the six months of Fatima devotions our Blessed Mother has always seen to it that the rain holds up just in time for our usual outdoor service to commence. We would like to think that those who came out in good faith despite weather forecasts received extra blessings!

This year we were guided by Our Lady to involve the children of our nation, so young people led the prayers on Friday 12 and for every month since May. The children of Cedar Grove Private School (Palmiste); the teenagers of the Cluny Centre youth group, and the children from Siparia inspired us with their heartfelt praying of the rosary.

As is the custom, on the commemoration of this special feast, a procession was held in which the beautifully decorated statue of Our Lady was carried by four youths around the spacious church grounds preceded by little flower girls scattering petals.

The celebration of the Eucharist was enhanced by the singing of the St Benedict’s church choir and the very moving playing of the violin by Anslem Walters.

The Archbishop shared his wisdom with us in his own inimitable way. Basing his homily on the readings of the day he warned us about always “looking for the devil.” His existence is real, he said, but possession (of people) is rare.

He warned us also about how we pray. Rosaries and novenas are all well and good, but do we live what we pray? How do we treat our brothers and sisters at home, in our communities, and in the wider world? Do we remember to pray for the latter or do we only think about our own? Pride or arrogance should not consume us.

As it was Our Lady’s feast day, the Archbishop drew reference to Mary’s life. She lived a life of PRESENCE; of PRAYER; of WITNESS; of CHARITY; and of MISSION.

He challenged us to examine ourselves and see if we too live such lives. If not, with Mary’s help and grace, we should aim to make these the watchwords of our existence.

And so another year of Fatima devotions has ended. We in the south who organise the monthly prayers would like to thank all those who have made the devotions possible through their faithfulness and generosity.

See you next year, please God!