At Jericho: Praying for Haiti

By Marlene Quaroni - Florida Catholic

Photography: MARLENE QUARONI | FC

MIAMI | Haitian Americans prayed for a return to law and order in Haiti during their 21st annual Jericho revival at Notre Dame d’Haiti Mission.

“Haiti is in bad shape,” said Father Reginald Jean-Mary, Notre Dame d’Haiti pastor, on the third night of the Oct. 15-21, 2023, event: seven days of praise, worship and teaching where thousands of worshippers filled the church from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. each evening.

Jericho comes from the Old Testament story of Joshua and the Israelites journeying to the promised land. Their first obstacle was to conquer Jericho, a walled city deemed unconquerable. God told Joshua to have the people march silently around the city for six days and on the seventh day they were told to shout. Joshua followed God’s instructions and the walls collapsed, according to the Bible. The lesson is that faithful obedience to God helps people overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.

Each year, Jericho focuses on a different theme. This year it was Haiti.

“There is killing, kidnapping, inflation and gangs running the country,” said Father Jean-Mary. “The people are desperate and impoverished. Business professionals are leaving the country. During Jericho we are doing what we do best, we are praying for a miracle in Haiti.”

Father Jean-Mary said relief is coming soon to Haiti.

“The United Nations Security Council has just approved sending an international police force, led by Kenyans, to combat gang violence and to help restore order in the country,” he said.

The U.N. resolution also calls for a global stop to arms sales to Haiti, except for approved security purposes. Father Jean-Mary said he is glad to see that the Kenyans will be Haiti’s African partners in the fight against the violence.

In addition to prayers for a miracle in Haiti, attendees also prayed for the physically and emotionally ill, for workers, for pilgrims and migrants, and the world’s young people.

Although most of the thousands of attendees came from South Florida, several came from other states and others watched worldwide on Haitian media.

“Not all walls are physical,” said Father Jean-Mary. “There are walls built from hate, quarrels, despair.”

The event started the evening of Oct. 15 with a Mass celebrated by Creole-speaking Archbishop Thomas Wenski, who served as pastor of Notre Dame d’Haiti before being named a bishop. He was appointed to the Haitian apostolate 40 years ago and encouraged development of the 10-acre, oak-shaded site in Little Haiti where Notre Dame d’Haiti Church is located.

In addition to Archbishop Wenski and Father Jean-Mary, preachers at this year’s Jericho included Bishop Glandas Marie Erick Toussaint of Jacmel, Haiti; Fathers Francky Desir and Asnigue Merlet, of the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Father Luc Philogene of the Archdiocese of Washington; Father Jean Olince Saint-Louis of the Archdiocese of Paris, France; Father Alin Waterman of the Diocese of Palm Beach; Fathers Rikinson Bantou, Emmanuel Bastien, Robes Charles and Youry Jules, and Deacons Mesmin Augustin and Alpha Fleurimond, all of the Miami archdiocese.

As part of the event, in a way similar to the Israelites walking around the walls of Jericho, a priest carrying a monstrance bearing the Blessed Sacrament led other priests and attendees in a walk around the church’s grounds as they waved small Haitian flags and vibrantly sang to the rhythmic music of “Jesus, Haiti is in your hands.”

The third night’s preacher, Father Philogene, urged the congregation to believe in God.

“We know that with God we will be singing Alleluia one day,” he said. “Haiti will be whole and free again.”

Father Jean-Mary said that Jericho not only brings the Haitian community together, but the spiritual event also benefits the parish through the selling of Jericho T-shirts, food and special collections.

Jericho also is a source of spiritual renewal that gives participants a greater sense of commitment. The City of Miami has recognized Jericho, listing it as an annual event. City of Miami police have helped with security for free. The community contributed money, printed programs, notices and T-shirts, and the nearby Little Haiti Cultural Center allowed for overflow parking.