Haitian Catholics in Philadelphia mark 50 years of faith

Haitian Catholics in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia celebrated their 50th anniversary with a Mass at St. William Parish in Northeast Philadelphia on Oct. 17. The liturgy, which included prayers in English, French, and Haitian Creole, drew approximately 350 people and several concelebrants.

Father Eugène Almonor, an Oblate of Mary Immaculate and chaplain for the archdiocese’s Haitian Catholic Community, described the milestone as 50 years of faith, challenge, and determination. The community is divided into two branches, north and west, with St. William Parish serving as the home for the north branch.

During the Mass, an image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was displayed before the altar. Pope Pius XII named her the patroness of Haiti in 1942, and Pope Benedict XVI invoked her protection following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The celebration also included a liturgical dance honoring the Magnificat.