The Seminaire de Theologie was closed from December 20-January 4 for the Christmas holidays. Seminarians headed to the homes of their immediate family or split their time between friends and extended family. As a result, I was able to see a few of the Seminarians during the vacation, especially the 4th year students. Time with the "seniors" was particularly important to me, since they would not be returning to the Seminary. They would begin their final field work before ordination to the deaconate, scheduled for this summer. Some would be posted hours from Port au Prince. It was going to be very hard for me to experience such a lapse in time in being with them.
During my ten + weeks in Haiti, I have grown close to all of the Seminarians. However, the schedule of the 4th year students was more flexible than those of the underclassmen. Consequently, I had had the luxury of much more time with them. It was clear that they had formed a very close relationship during the past four years. They were like brothers. It was now time for that relationship to change, for them and for me.
The focus of attention was on Abiade Lozama, a 4th year student who had been awarded a two year scholarship for a Masters program and Virgina Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA. This would be Abiade's first time out of the country and, actually first time on an airplane. I had helped with some of the paperwork and logistics for his departure. Now I felt we needed to do a Commissioning. Friday, January 2 was the last night that all the 4th year students were going to be together. They met at my apartment at 5:30 p.m. I lit a candle and explained the tradition of laying on of hands and anointing at my church, Trinity, Solebury. Since there are some differences in what is acceptable for laity to do in Haiti, I made sure that it was O.K. for me to anoint Abiade with oil. First, we read Luke 10:1-9, the Gospel that was read at my Commissioning. Part of the passage reads "...the Lord appointed seventy others and and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way.' " When Jean Fills finished reading the Gospel, I asked Abiade to sit in a chair and, and joining hands (kenbe), the rest of us surrounded him. I had encouraged everyone to offer prayers and I would close with the anointing. Sonley led with special prayers in French and then drew us into reciting the Lord's Prayer. It was wonderful. We concluded by anointing Abiade with oil.
Immediately following the Commissioning, we went down the street to a wonderful little cafe and all had rum punches and fish dinner. It was one of the best dinners I have had here. At the end of the evening, Abiade, Jean Fills and Sonley walked me to my door and each gave me a hug. Hugs are a rare occurance here (Haitian greeting and farewell is usually represented by a hand shake and a kiss on the cheek), so I was particularly touched. Abiade said he had not known what to expect and was truly moved by the Commissioning. .
The following Wednesday, January 7, we dedicated the morning service to Abaide and offered special prayers. I cried a little during the liturgy, which was probably better than doing so in front of Abiade. Then Pere Oge and I drove to St. Vincent School for the Handicapped to pick up Sonley and Abiade. Sonley was first on the scene, carrying Abiade's suitcase. Then Abiade came down the long metal stairs in the atrium of the school in a gorgeous new suit. He looked so handsome and completely ready to begin this new chapter in his life.
When we arrived at the airport, we parked the car and walked him to the security area. Then it was a final goodbye. He was on his way.
The Seminarians have become very dear to me. Saying goodbye to Abiade was like sending one of my own sons of to a new and strange land filled with opportunity and, undoubtedly, challenges. We have stayed in close touch since his departure. As I suspected, he is thriving at VTS. I feel privileged to have shared in this wonderful part of his training as a priest and I look forward to seeing what God does in His life during these next two years.
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