Santa Rosa de Lima was transformed by her devotion to the Eucharist, and we must follow her model.

“The Eucharist is the most precious possession the Church has…. and we need the Eucharist to be transformed into the likeness of Christ”, said Archbishop Kelvin Felix as he preached the homily at this year's Mass in honour of Santa Rosa de Lima, patroness of the parish of Santa Rosa, Arima, the largest in the archdiocese.

Concelebrating last Sunday's Mass with the head of the Archdiocese of Castries, St Lucia, were Arima parish priest Msgr Christian Pereira, and Msgr Urban Peschier. Among the dignitaries present were Mayor Eustace Nancis, former Mayor Rose Jannierre, parliamentarians Pennelope Beckles and Camille Robinson-Regis, and leaders of the business community.

Archbishop Felix greets Carib Queen Valentina Medina

The Carib community, led by titular Carib Queen Valentina Medina and president Richardo Bharat Hernandez, sat in front of the statue of Santa Rosa de Lima.

In his homily, the Archbishop described the 17 th century saint who died August 24, 1671, at the age of 31, as a “simple handmaid of the Lord” who led an “austere life of prayer” and spent hours before the Blessed Sacrament.

He told the large congregation seated in the church, and those under tents in the courtyard, who looked on via two large screens, that for Santa Rosa , the Eucharist was life itself.

He said when we eat bread; it nourishes our flesh, blood and tissues. But when we eat Eucharistic bread, it transforms us into the body of Christ.

“This is what we ought to be – the body of Christ,” in our families, homes, workplaces and communities, he stated.

Procession with the statue

He said we must strive as Santa Rosa de Lima did, “day after day” and in the midst of our struggles, to fulfill our mission. “As Rosa offered herself, allowing herself to be transformed, let us also give our lives in service of others.”

During his homily, the Dominica-born archbishop brought greetings from his homeland and from St Lucia . He said in opening remarks that it was his “joy and pleasure” to lead parishioners in worship, and “I pray for you and for the nation, that your patroness will guide the nation to God.”

Prayers of the faithful were offered by members of the various parish communities and said in English, Spanish and Lokolo (Arawak).

Unlike last year when there were heavy showers, this year's procession with the statue was held under sunny skies. The procession moved from Woodford Street , around the nearby park, onto Church Street , Queen Street past the dial to the Market, then onto Hollis Avenue and back onto Woodford Street and into the Church for a closing Benediction. - RS