Fathers Felicien, Francois participate in Haitian pilgrimage in Washington
December 8, 2024 at 1:15 p.m.
Father Jean Felicien, secretary to Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and diocesan vice chancellor, and Father Kerly Francois, parochial vicar of St. Paul Parish, Princeton, journeyed to Washington, D.C., Dec. 7 to participate in the Brooklyn-based National Center for the Haitian Apostolate's annual pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Father Felicien and Father Francois joined several thousand pilgrims where they celebrated the feast of the Immaculate Conception on the first Saturday of Advent. The pilgrimage is a time for the Haitian Catholic Community to come together in faith, celebrate their cultural heritage and deepen their spiritual connection. It's an opportunity to reflect on the blessings of the Advent season and to strengthen the bonds within the Haitian Catholic community. Participants come from many regions in the country but especially from our own tri-state area.
Beginning early Saturday morning, the pilgrimage included Mass, prayer, cultural celebrations, food and fellowship.
The Diocese of Trenton is home to several Haitian Catholic communities, especially in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, served by Father Pierre Alabre, and Mother of Mercy Parish, Asbury Park, served by Father Paul Janvier, both of whom are native born Haitians.
A photo taken from the sanctuary shows a packed congregation in attendance at the Dec. 7 Haitian pilgrimage. Staff photo
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Father Jean Felicien, secretary to Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and diocesan vice chancellor, and Father Kerly Francois, parochial vicar of St. Paul Parish, Princeton, journeyed to Washington, D.C., Dec. 7 to participate in the Brooklyn-based National Center for the Haitian Apostolate's annual pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Father Felicien and Father Francois joined several thousand pilgrims where they celebrated the feast of the Immaculate Conception on the first Saturday of Advent. The pilgrimage is a time for the Haitian Catholic Community to come together in faith, celebrate their cultural heritage and deepen their spiritual connection. It's an opportunity to reflect on the blessings of the Advent season and to strengthen the bonds within the Haitian Catholic community. Participants come from many regions in the country but especially from our own tri-state area.
Beginning early Saturday morning, the pilgrimage included Mass, prayer, cultural celebrations, food and fellowship.
The Diocese of Trenton is home to several Haitian Catholic communities, especially in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, served by Father Pierre Alabre, and Mother of Mercy Parish, Asbury Park, served by Father Paul Janvier, both of whom are native born Haitians.
A photo taken from the sanctuary shows a packed congregation in attendance at the Dec. 7 Haitian pilgrimage. Staff photo