Learning about Haiti: Piti Piti zwazo fe nich

"Little by little a bird builds a nest:" a well known Haitian proverb. 

When this proverb crossed our path in learning about the people of Haiti, we know we are already connected with the people, though we do not know them yet. 

We also come across this beautiful Haitian drum art, which also reminds us of our connection through the love of beauty and art. 

A "Little School": Learning about the mission

In the city of Petit-Goâve, Haiti at the Servants of Mary Center, there is a “little school” called the Child Jesus School. It is an elementary and vocational school for poor and needy children 10 years of age and older. These children would never be able to attend school or receive an education, mainly because their parents or relatives are not able to pay the monthly fees required by the schools in Petit-Goâve.

The Child Jesus School provides a basic education for the children, as well as providing school supplies, uniforms and a nourishing meal each day the children attend class. The children also receive religious formation and instructions to prepare them for the Sacraments as well as learning the basic prayers and, of course, songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.

There is a staff of 12 men and women, who care for the 67 students presently enrolled from  first to fourth grade. Because of the lack of space at the present time, many other needy children have, unfortunately, been turned away.

Thanks to the generous contributions received from Secular Servites and communities as well as friends and supporters, a playground and basketball court has been constructed for the children. What a joy this has been for the children! They can play in a safe and protected environment under the supervision and watchful care of the staff. The children and staff are very grateful to all the donors who have made the playground a reality for them.  Those who wish may make a donation for the purchase of the necessary sports and playground equipment.

Each day, before returning home at the end of the school day, the children sit together and enjoy a nourishing meal that is prepared and served on school grounds. For many of the children, this is their principal meal for the day. We are grateful for a Secular Servite who has been providing a monthly donation to help cover the cost of the purchase of the food.

After the children have concluded their elementary education, they are subsequently offered the opportunity to participate in a 3 year vocational, professional education in one of the following areas: cabinetmaking, carpentry, tailoring, mechanics, masonry, electricity, art, cooking and baking.

Odette Morency,OSSM, a Secular Servite, was instrumental in establishing the school.  Now, Fr. Marc Claudy Magloire and Fr. Vidal M. Martínez,OSM are responsible for administering and overseeing all activities, programs, faculty, staff and needs of Child Jesus School.  If anyone is interested in visiting...please contact Fr. Vidal Martínez,OSM to discuss possible arrangements. For further information, please visit:  School of the Child Jesus

Learning about the Little Way

Each day in Haiti, Grace and Ellen will read from and prayerfully reflect on the "Little Way" of St. Therese, as presented in this book by John Nelson. 

The days' reflections will focus on:  Joyful Humility, Bold Confidence, Tranquil Trust, Persistence in Prayer, and Daily Practice.  

You can look forward to hearing more of our reflections on the Little Way throughout and after our pilgrimage. 

Patrons for the Pilgrimage

 

St. Therese of the Child Jesus

The world came to know Therese through her autobiography, "Story of a Soul". She described her life as a "little way of spiritual childhood." She lived each day with an unshakable confidence in God's love. "What matters in life," she wrote, "is not great deeds, but great love." Therese lived and taught a spirituality of attending to everyone and everything well and with love. She believed that just as a child becomes enamored with what is before her, we should also have a childlike focus and totally attentive love. Therese's spirituality is of doing the ordinary, with extraordinary love.

"My mission - to make God loved - will begin after my death," she said. "I will spend my heaven doing good on earth. I will let fall a shower of roses."

It is interesting to note that St. Therese, the Patron of Missions, during the last year of her life, drew the United States as her Mission and country for which to pray and sacrifice throughout the following year.

We pray in confidence each day throughout this year--Grace and Ellen's 25th on this earth-- in intercession to St. Therese for the people of Haiti, and for us all to believe so that we might imitate the "little way" each day.  

Blessed Cecilia Eusepi,OSSM (Secular Servant of Mary), who was beatified on June 17, 2012 in Italy

Cecilia’s Simple Life

Born to good and simple parents who raised a family of love, Cecilia is youngest of 11 children. Initially from the small village of Monte Romano, (also North of Rome) Cecilia moved to Nepi at age 5. After her father died, her uncle takes care of her mother and family, and brings them to Nepi to work on a farm in La Massa, just outside of town. Soon, Cecilia is entrusted to the nuns.

Cecilia was already most devout as a young girl. Barely a teenager, at age 13, she officially joined a monastery called the 3rd Order of the Servants of Mary. She had high hopes and plans to study in Rome and Pistoia and then Zara to become a missionary there.

She did go to Rome and Pistoia, however her missionary dreams were curbed by her poor health after three years. Intestinal tuberculosis made her returned at age 16 from the nuns in Pistoia back to Nepi, where she died here two years later. During these last years, she was visited often and by many who sought her council.

Her strong devotion to Mother Mary and Jesus, as well as her being exemplary of operating in ‘little ways’, was noted by those in Rome. 

During the period of her illness, at the behest of Father Roschini, Cecilia began writing a diary in May 1927 (finished September 1928) and autobiography, called “The Story of a Clown (storia di un giglio)”.