Haiti places itself under Mary’s protection

This year, the feast of the Immaculate Conception coincided with the 75th anniversary of the consecration of Haiti to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Once again, the Church has entrusted the country to God and reiterated its call for change, to fight against unpunished crime, poverty and the corruption that plague the institutions.

All ten bishops of the country gathered at the Sylvio Cator stadium to offer a special Mass. The goal was to present to God their country with its many struggles.

As in 1882, the bishops, in communion with the priests, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, implored mercy for Haiti. According to the Catholic Church, the country is in a deeper crisis than in 1882, when a smallpox epidemic decimated Haitian families.

In a packed stadium, the ten bishops brought before God the country’s trials and sufferings. They asked Him to look down with mercy on Haiti.

For this special ceremony, countless "Salve Reginas" were sung. Prayers sprang up asking Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the patron saint of Haiti, to take possession of the country. Cardinal Chibli Langlois, Bishop of Les Cayes, President of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti, blessed ten icons of Our Lady of Perpetual Help which will be installed in all ten dioceses.

Le Nouvelliste