On Thursday, September 7 a group of 16 members of the Legion of Mary gathered at Point Salines International Airport, Grenada to begin their journey to St Lucia. This was a resounding response to an invitation to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Legion of Mary in St Lucia.

Many thanks to the organisers, Sr Lorna Baptiste and Fr Patrick Alexander of Crochu parish and the sheer wizardry of Lydia Ramdhanny’s Travel Service in Grenville.

We were – to say the very least “a mixed bag” young and not so young and the spirit of support and care was very evident as we assisted each other in dealing with luggage, forms etc.

The group consisted of five members from St David’s and Crochu, four from River Sallee, two each from Grand Anse and Hermitage, and one each from Grenville, Byelands and Moyah.

Our uneventful journey, helped by many decades of the Rosary, brought us to Vigie/FL Charles Airport in Castries. The President of Comitium, Marguerite Joseph with her cheerful band of hostesses was there to welcome us.

After a brief meeting, we were allocated to families and swiftly made our way home in beautiful late afternoon sunshine. We next met at 9.00 a.m. Friday for our round- the-island trip. This indeed was “the day the Lord hath made.”

Friday

Meeting time was 9.30 at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. For a few persons it was a 10-minute walk – for many, quite a journey! We joined members from the Trinidad Regia and spent our waiting time praying the Rosary, visiting the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration and browsing around the bookshop “The Vine”.

Three members from Martinique arrived safely from the airport and at 11a.m. we were off to pick up our colleagues along the way.

Our Comitium president – Ms Joseph gave us a very interesting Catholic tour.
Dennery and La Resource are beautiful agricultural parishes with beautiful beaches. Bexon is the only parish without a Praesidium.

This place suffered devastating landslides many years ago, which claimed many lives. The community is now flourishing Seventh Day Adventist territory, and although not mentioned by our guide, one could not miss an imposing Jehovah’s Witness building.

Mon Repos is the parish where Fr Patrick works. The beautiful church of St Ann was open – we would have loved to visit but on we went.

“The Frances Retreat Centre” with its manicured gardens, run by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, seemed like a taste of heaven. Vieux Fort was our next stop. Lunch was served at the hall of the very ornate Church of the Assumption. St Lucians can cook! The bookstore was a bit disappointing but many enjoyed the shops and did some very serious buying.

Banner of Curia Our Lady of Lourdes in the procession

We returned via Soufrière, stopping at the drive-in volcano, an awesome sight.

There was much washing of feet, inhalation of the vapour (good for the sinuses, we were told) and collection of the ashy waters. One could feel God’s presence at the sight.

I could not help but reflect on creation and God’s mercy – “Be still and know that I am God.”

We left and drove along roads like our Grand Etang – sighting the Pitons and marvelling at the citrus, breadfruit and avocado growing everywhere.

Soufrière town, the breadbasket and fishing net of the island, was worth a stop. We visited the Church of the Assumption, noting that the faith is firm in that town and vocations have flourished.

Choiseul boasts the site of Our Lady of Lourdes statue. There are no shrines in St Lucia. The statue had deteriorated over the years and was restored by Legionaries last year. Ms Joseph pointed out that Our Lady’s rosary has six decades – the last one recited for priests.

 This parish has many professional people who love and support their church. Everyone was taken in by the beauty of the place. It was getting late – wayside tables and cutlery pointed to the dignified “Fish Friday” about to take place but there was no stopping.

Our last pause was at the Church of the Nativity at Anse-La-Raye. Traditionally the last stop, when Legionaries celebrate the feast of the Birthday of Our Lady in September. A fitting end to a joyous day spent in communion with our fellow Legionaries.

The rest of the drive into Castries was prayerful and relaxing. Thanks to the kindness of our hosts, we got home safely, on time for Family rosary.

Come and celebrate with us

The celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Legion of Mary in St Lucia took place on Sunday, September 10 at the Good Shepherd Church, Babonneau.

The meeting for transport was outside the Cathedral in Castries where we eagerly greeted our sisters as they arrived for an 8.30 a.m. departure. Some members from Trinidad, Dominica and Bro Noel from Grenada were arriving that morning.

We gathered at the assembly hall of the school, warmly greeted by Sr Marguerite Joseph, President of Comitium. The majority of those gathered were persons “of a certain age” forming a sea of white with blue regalia.

Fr Linus Clovis, Spiritual Director led the Legion prayers. There was delight at the arrival of Fr Patrick Alexander and Bro Carlyle Noel.
Srs Sonia George and Ramonize Bailey gave a brief account of the history of the Legion, past and present. There are 300 members in 30 praesidia, three Junior praesidia and two Children of Mary groups.

Parishes with their banners, led by the choir, rolled out for the short procession to the church in glorious sunshine.

The Mass was celebrated in Latin, Kweyol and English. Our members participated in the Prayers of the Faithful (Sr Malisa – Moyah) and the Presentation of the Gifts (Althea Peters, River Sallee).

In his homily Fr Clovis dealt with the reality that St Lucia has legalised abortion and now the question is asked about the increase of murders in that country. Fr Clovis has been vocal on the issue without challenge.

Lunch – real food and ice cream too - was served to us guests in a classroom of the school.

The afternoon programme went energetically. Awards were presented to long-serving members, Fr Clovis receiving one of the awards. Tributes were paid and gifts were offered by the visitors to our hosts.

The skits were very well received – Patois song from Martinique, Calypso and Poem from Trinidad, song Mary We Love You from Grenada.

The highlight of the programme was the procession of 22 banners carried by standard bearers. The music by an all male group of musicians and the choir led by Sr Joseph, must have been a delight to Our Blessed Mother.

At the end of Benediction, I felt this was indeed “the day that the Lord hath made”. After a hurried photo shoot of our group we all received a gift bag from the Babonneau members, plus Bro Noel's kind delivery of a $5.00 bag of Spice Isle tamarind balls for our journey home.

Glory to God and His Blessed Mother for this privilege, and a safe return home.