A time of family reunion is an occasion filled with mixed emotions. It is a time when we are happy to meet and bond with family members who live far away, renew old acquaintances and make new friends. This is followed by a period of sadness, when we must say farewell until we meet again.

And so it was for us when our family got together in St Lucia this month to celebrate the presentation of our cousin, the Most Reverend Robert Rivas, as Coadjutor Archbishop of Castries. We were indeed proud that our cousin was elevated from Bishop of Kingstown to become Archbishop of Castries.

The proceedings started on Saturday, October 13 at the Pilgrims’ Mass and the closing of the Fatima Devotions at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, La Cléry, Castries.

The three-hour long ceremony consisted of Rosary Devotions, a candlelight street procession, then Holy Mass. Even though the ceremony was long, the time passed quickly in the packed church at La Cléry.

Archbishop Rivas with members of his family

The following day, Sunday, October 14, was the highlight of our visit to St Lucia—the presentation ceremony at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Castries.

There all our family and friends joined with the people of St Lucia in welcoming Archbishop Rivas. The Most Reverend Kelvin Felix, Archbishop of Castries, ably assisted by His Excellency Edward Gullickson, Apostolic Nuncio, led the liturgical celebration.

The Royal St Lucia Police Band playing We stand for God led a grand procession of altar servers, the Knights of Columbus, bishops and clergy from Micoud Street to the Basilica.

As the ceremony started, His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio read the Papal Bull announcing Archbishop Rivas’ appointment to the congregation. This was followed by greetings from the Archbishop of Kingston, Lawrence Burke

The Holy Mass that followed was an experience of a lifetime. My wife, Liz, and I were honoured to be selected to participate in the liturgy by reading the prayers of the faithful for marriage and family life.

For me the highlight of the ceremony was the offertory procession, comprising family members and led by local dancers, all swaying towards the altar to the haunting rhythm of the Kwéyòl hymn Tout Sa Nou Ni.

On October 15, His Grace arranged a family dinner at the Benedictine Abbey at Coubaril at which we were guests of honour, as we celebrated 35 years of married life.

At the sumptuous Chinese dinner that was prepared for us, we were joined by Archbishop Felix and His Excellency Archbishop Gullickson. It was truly a family celebration

We were happy to be surrounded by family and close friends for such a memorable occasion. After dinner, Archbishop Rivas blessed us. Entertainment was provided by Velia Espeut, a Trinidadian married to Deacon Peter Espeut, now living in Jamaica, aspiring comedian Fr Jim from St Vincent, the duet of Fr Iraneus Thomas of Grenada and Sr Susan Gopaul, a Trini now serving in Barbados, and Sr Paula Andrews, a Trini now working in the Archbishop’s office in Castries.

We are thankful to God for 35 years of happily married life. We are also grateful to Archbishop Robert Rivas for making it an occasion we shall never forget, his assistants Fr Pio and Sr Jan from Kingstown, the staff of the Pastoral Centre for their warm hospitality, Mother Mariana and her sisters at the Abbey for hosting the dinners we attended there and the people of St Lucia for making us welcome in their beautiful country.