Haitians show their pride, pray for their country

By Marlene Quaroni - Florida Catholic

MIAMI | The congregation at Notre Dame d’Haiti Church waved small Haitian flags — and many wore the flag’s colors, dark blue and red — during a Mass to celebrate the patriotic symbol’s 214th anniversary.

“The flag is a symbol of our identity and unity,” said Father Reginald Jean-Marie, Notre Dame pastor, who concelebrated the Mass May 18. “Our ancestors were successful in giving us the flag because they were united. The motto on the flag is ‘L‘Union Fait La Force,’ unity makes strength.”

Father Jean-Marie said that the greatest cancer in Haiti today is division among the people.

“We see so many Haitians going through difficult times,” said Father Jean-Marie. “The country was still recovering from the earthquake when faced with Hurricane Matthew, and now there were floods and a cholera outbreak. We need to pray for the leaders of Haiti that they will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Haiti needs a national conversion that will address the needs of the people.”

According to Haitian folklore, revolutionary leader Jean Jacques Dessalines created the flag after a battle against the French army in 1803. He took a red, white and blue French flag and tore out the white part to symbolize getting rid of white French slave masters. He gave the remaining pieces to his goddaughter, Catherine Flon, who sewed the first Haitian flag.

Over the years the flag arrived at its current state: dark blue and red horizontal bands intersected by a white panel bearing the country’s coat of arms, a trophy of weapons atop a green hill. The weapons depict Haitians’ readiness to defend their freedom. A royal palm symbolizes independence and is topped by the Cap of Liberty. The country’s motto appears on the green hill.

On May 22, Haitians temporarily residing in the United States since the devastating earthquake of 2010 received good news. The Department of Homeland Security extended, for six months, their Temporary Protected Status. For the moment, about 58,000 Haitians, most of them living in South Florida, won’t be deported.

Haitians living outside of Haiti play an important role in the country’s economy, said Father Jean-Marie.

“The Haitian diaspora supports the national gross domestic product of Haiti,” he said.

Msgr. Chanel Jeanty, pastor of St. James in North Miami and archdiocesan chancellor, echoed Father Jean-Marie’s words in his homily.

“On Haitian Flag Day, we pray to be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Haiti,” said Msgr. Jeanty. “We gather today to honor the history of our country.”

Taina Milford, a member of St. James’ Fraternite dance group, who was born in Port-au-Prince, said she felt a sense of pride.

“It shows how far we came as a nation,” she said. “We love Haiti.”