According to the Missionhurst-CICM constitutions and option, we are sent wherever our missionary presence is most needed. These locations are identified as frontier situations: places where we feel and listen to God urging us to be present and active, bracing the hope of people in despair. The places we work around the world can be difficult; we are often in locations that are remote, under-developed, lacking resources, where the condition for the people is unpleasant. I would place the parish of St. Roch in Grosse Roche, Haiti at the intersection of all those conditions. Remarkably, our chapels in the outposts of the parish could be referred to by their separate sub-categories of “frontier situation.”
Because of their locations and issues with accessibility, some zones of the parish are quite isolated. This can lead to feelings of being neglected or forgotten. Nevertheless, the faithful strive to celebrate the meaningful aspects of their lives and create moments of joy according to their situation. One nonnegotiable moment for our communities is the annual celebration of their respective patron saints.
One of our chapels is situated in Corosse. This chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, and the commemoration of its patron saint occurs on February 11th. It is a big day for both believers and nonbelievers in Corosse; the celebration is much like a town fiesta. Therefore, it unites the people of the town, and they work together in the organization and preparations for this important day. The first criterion for the success of these festivities is the Eucharistic celebration. That fact dictates that the presence of a priest is essential. There is a commonly uttered used phrase regarding Corosse: in Creole it is, “Ale Kowos pa dous.” The translation is, “Hiking to Corosse is no piece of cake.” It requires not only willingness, but also a great capacity for hiking and climbing.
Corosse is located in a mountainous area. From the parish center, it takes about three hours to get there, depending on the walking or climbing speed and the weather conditions. Compounding the difficulty of the journey is the lack of drinking water along the way. But, as Jesus said: “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” (Mark 1:38)
In the frontier situations, theories are not of much use: action is the key. So our parish priest, Fr. Augustine Tshibangu, cicm, two other companions and me, set out to make the trek to Corosse a few days before the event. In this way, we could contribute to the preparations and, most importantly, handle the administration of several sacraments. For this last trip, we would handle the baptisms of 34 young people, and the marriage of two couples. Along with our valued companions in this task is our mule, which helps us bring some provisions and the all-important drinking water. I call the mule “our 4x4:” he’s logged more than eight years of service to the mission!
We chose to conquer the heat of the sun and the height of the mountains by focusing on the purpose rather than on what it takes to get there. And we grew on the pathway that was, and will surely remain, an adventure for each of us. There was the rise and fall, and the smile that follows it, the story telling, the spectacular views of the familiar and the unfamiliar, the watchful guiding of our mule, and the jokes and natural laughter that went along with each phase of the journey. Then came the crossing of the waterways: barefoot and trepidatious on slippery steps. These were all part of the adventure on the way to Corosse. Powered by our own steam and moved by the love of Christ and his people, at the end of the day we are happy to hike this adventure for God’s great glory.
As soon as we arrived, I heard the mission bell. It was sounded to announce the arrival of the parish priest. This bell does not signify the celebration to come, rather the work to be done. It nonetheless made us realize how noteworthy our presence in their midst was to them. It seems to invigorate their hope, and it also motivates our missionary endeavor. Our presence is significant to this community of God’s people.
Soon the steady flow of parishioners were coming and going. Some were coming to welcome us, others to discuss problems, questions, concerns or complaints–– and some others just came by to be there with us. It’s all part of life in the missions. Later we received the families who needed instruction for baptism, and conducted the final interviews with those preparing for their wedding ceremony the following day. Finally, tired at the end of the day, the parish priest pointed to a pile of envelopes on his desk: “Look man!” He already knew that these were solicitation letters from different groups and small local organizations who need contributions or some type of support. He cheerfully commented, “They all ask for good reasons, so tell me theologically, where would the priest get the means to address all their needs?” He smiled and for my answer, I smiled back, and we called it a day.
After all our tasks were accomplished and the preparations were completed, the big day arrived. The celebration was very well attended and animated. According to many, this year’s commemoration was a significant improvement and more enjoyable. It is amazing what a difference a few borrowed instruments from the parish center can make for the choir during the mass! Anyway, we all enjoyed the celebration, praised God together, welcomed the 34 newly baptized Christians, blessed the two couples, and appreciated the fraternity strengthened by our time together.
Though the trip to Corosse is certainly “no piece of cake,” it was successful thanks to the efforts and participation of the many dedicated parishioners. We ultimately made our way back to the parish center, exhausted of course. But we were fulfilled from having shared such an important occasion with our people. We thank the loyal Missionhurst supporters who continue to help us reach such frontier situations, where we can accompany God’s people.
Bavon Mubakanda, cicm
Grosse Roche, Haïti
Bro. Bavon Mubakanda, cicm, is a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo who joined Missionhurst-CICM in 2005. Following his studies at St. Augustine University and his novitiate in Kinshasa, he attended Maryhill School of Theology in Manilla (Philippines), and was then assigned to the CICM province of Haïti. During his final year of internship, Bavon is working in the diocese of Fort Liberté (northeastern Haiti).
