October 16, 2011

Yesterday, October 15 2011, was the 45th anniversary of my ordination. Forty-five years, wow! That’s a long time. The oldest postulant here is 43 and they kid him about being “the old man” and he wasn’t even born when I was ordained. It was in Annecy,France at the Basilica of St. Francis de Sales 45 years ago. I had already been in Europe three years with the French province studying theology at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. That’s where I learned my French. I used to kid people in the States that most people say, “I studied French (or German or Spanish) for three years or so and I can read it and write it but I can’t speak it.” I, on the other hand, would say, “I can speak French but I can’t read it or write it!” Well, that wasn’t quite true, I could read some and write some, but mostly my gift was for speaking. I think I always liked “mimicking” sounds (and people too). So when I got the hang of it, I mimicked people speaking French and it worked. It’s also strange that I never lost my French after so many years of not using it. Very few people in the States speak French. I was learning Spanish since so many folks do speak Spanish. I think it was partly because of my ability to speak French that the Lord got me here to Haiti, in fact I’m sure of it. Anyway, going back to the 45th anniversary, I offered Mass in Creole and in the brief homily I simply said I was very grateful to God for all the graces I have received during these 45 years and beyond. I also said that on October 15, 1966, I would never have dreamed that in 45 years I’d be in Haiti celebrating Mass in Creole in an Oblate house of formation.

I wrote to Maurice Riguet who was ordained with me. He is a French Oblate who is now a missionary in Benin, Africa. I love Maurice and we’ve been good friends since our time in Fribourg but we seldom write. I told him I couldn’t believe that we were 73 and that we’d been ordained for forty-five years. He wrote back echoing my sentiments. We’re both in good health – another great gift of God – we’re both very happy with what we’ve been called to do especially these past few years. He’s a pastor in Benin and in midst of trying to build a church. I’m sure that’s challenging. Maybe when we get to our building project here in Haiti he’ll have a few helpful hints for us.

Earlier in the week I received an anniversary greeting from a friend who always remembers my ordination anniversary – often when I’ve totally forgotten it. She is a very faithful friend. Yesterday I also got a note from a friend in Bay City. He is a priest of the Diocese of Saginaw. I’m so aware of what a gift friendship is. I don’t think my life would have been as great and happy as it has been (give or take a few bumps in the road) were it not for friends. To all of you, my friends, thank you and again, thank you God for giving me such wonderful people to walk with me through this life. I am very grateful.

The two Masses today were in Creole and I was struck by some of the words in the hymns that were sung and in the ways Creole expresses itself when speaking to God. Remember, Creole is language born of several language influences: Tazino, the language if the indigenous people who lived here before colonization, Spanish, the language of Columbus and his shipmates, several African languages, French and English. I find there is a very real simplicity to Creole, even a childlike quality. Some of it, of course, is the French influence and comes from the days of slavery, a very harsh and extremely cruel slavery. What the enslaved people heard they imitated and put it together with their ideas of God and Jesus. The word “God” in Creole is “Bondye” which I imagine comes from the French phrase “Bon Dieu” or “good God”. “Lord” in French would be “Seigneur” but in Creole is “Gran Mèt” which sounds like a clipped form of “grand Maître” or “big boss or ‘master’” - the plantation owner or slave master. The Trinity, “The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” becomes “Papa a, Petit la, Lespri Sen an”,(the “the” follows the noun) so Father is “Papa” and the Son is “Petit” (the “little” one) and “Lespri San” is almost directly from the French including the French article “l” L’Esprit Saint or Holy Spirit. During the Gloria they sing, “Konpliman pou Bondye nou an, Konpliman pour Gran Met la!”. “Konpliman” is like “compliments” as in “My compliments to the chef!” So, “Compliments to our God, compliments to the Lord for all God has done.” At some points they sing, “Bravo pou li!” I think that’s like saying, “Bravo to you God! Good goin’!” It’s wonderful and once again Tom gets carried away! My friend Ken Untener would say at this point, “Boring, Tom. Nobody cares!” And he’s right. But I find this all very interesting despite that fact that I still don’t understand all I’m saying (praying) during the Mass.

Well anyway, that’s it for now. Blessings to everybody. Tom