Jericho: The walls came tumbling down

By Jim Davis - Florida Catholic

MIAMI | Not all walls are brick or stone. Some are built from hate, quarrels, despair or other barricades.

But they can still fall, as surely as did the walls of ancient Jericho when confronted by praise and faith.

That's the promise held out by the namesake annual week of praise, worship and teaching at the Mission of Notre Dame d'Haiti. The 20th Jericho week ran Oct. 16-22.

“It’s psychological, theological and spiritual,” said Father Reginald Jean-Mary, who has pastored the mission since 2004. “We want to restore a sense of dignity and spiritual empowerment, so that the grace of God can flow.”

The conference began every day with the daily rosary mystery, then a standard church prayer, such as those asking forgiveness or calling on the Holy Spirit.

Three clergy, including Father Jean-Mary, preached on the week’s theme of “Your Miracle Awaits.” They expounded on biblical miracles by Jesus, such as healing the lame, turning water into wine and feeding 5,000 with a few loaves and fish.

The three priests heard 1,500 confessions from attendees. Some people also brought pictures of their children to pray over.

The 4,000 at Jericho hailed from more than a half-dozen states: Maryland, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Georgia, New York and Massachusetts, plus Washington, D.C. and Haiti itself.

Others watched over Haitian media and via Facebook and YouTube. The technology reaches Haitians not only in the U.S. but in Brazil, Chile, Canada, the Dominican Republic, even Dubai, Father Jean-Mary said.

Each day included a re-enactment of the biblical episode in Joshua chapter 6, telling of the conquest of the city of Jericho by the children of Israel. According to the biblical story, rather than a frontal assault, the Israelites marched around the city for six days, then seven times on the seventh – and its walls collapsed, according to the text.

Attendees at the Notre Dame d'Haiti event thus performed their own march around the church, with trumpeters sounding, ending with a sevenfold march and seven trumpet blasts on the final day.

Father Jean-Mary got the idea for Jericho to counter a “spiritual dryness” in the congregation. “People were coming on Sunday only. Jericho has given them spiritual renewal and a greater sense of commitment.”

He mentioned a woman who serves pro bono as a church secretary on Saturdays. He also cited seven members who once attended only Mass, but now work as ushers.

Another benefit from the annual revival: healing rifts among Haitians in South Florida. Like other immigrants, many Haitians have moved away as they prospered, settling in more affluent areas like Kendall and Miramar. 

Jericho helps to bring that wall down, too, Father Jean-Mary said. “I've seen people go from a spirit of isolation and assimilation to one of integration and kindness and community.”

Families have been restored as well, Father Jean-Mary said.

“There are walls of hatred, pride, selfishness, indifference, family divisions and delinquent children,” he continued. “People face challenges of drugs, immigration and employment. Some become negative, and the whole self crumbles. When they receive good teaching, it restores their sense of self and dignity. They discover they are not just a name, they're a person, with God in their lives. They start to go to school, learn English, learn a trade, find a job.”

Jericho has directly helped Notre Dame d'Haiti, too: Attendance runs around 4,000, although the church has only 3,000 members. Father Jean-Mary said it’s because of the church’s status as a mission, with no parish boundaries.

People come to Mass at Notre Dame d'Haiti from cities as far flung as Homestead, Miramar and even Naples, he said. A bus even brings nine people from Fort Pierce, more than 125 miles north.

They're drawn not only to Mass but the opportunity to help in some of the 41 ministries at Notre Dame d'Haiti. In recent years, Father Jean-Mary said, the church has added two more youth groups, and some of the elderly enjoy playing dominos at the onsite Pierre Toussaint Leadership and Learning Center.

Two couples attend Mass virtually every Sunday and give offerings online as well, according to Father Jean-Mary. They also flew from their home in California to attend Jericho, he said.

Father Jean-Mary gave high praise for Archbishop Thomas Wenski, who opened Jericho week this year. Archbishop Wenski, who was appointed to the Haitian apostolate four decades ago, encouraged development of the 10-acre, oak-shaded campus, which Father Jean-Mary describes as a “spiritual oasis.”

The archbishop also blessed the use of conga drums and vigorous singing. “The liturgy is so vibrant, it makes people feel at home,” Father Jean-Mary said. “Archbishop Wenski gave us local color. He said, ‘What you have in Haiti, you will not miss here.’ ”

Jericho has even been recognized by the City of Miami, which lists it as an annual event, Father Jean-Mary said. He added that city officials met with church staff twice beforehand, and police helped with security for free.

The surrounding community has contributed as well, with money and in other ways like printing programs and T-shirts. Father Jean-Mary said the nearby Little Haiti Cultural Center allowed overflow parking, and surrounding shops helped with T-shirts and printed notices.