XV ANNIVERSARY OF PRIESTHOOD ORDINATION

Joy, Happiness and Gratitude

Reviewing my life on this August 7th, I realize that it is a sum of experiences, some very positive and others, not so much; a sum of successes and also of mistakes: encounters as well as disagreements, applause as well as criticism, hugs as well as tears, weakness as well as strength. So, my call to priestly life is for me a God’s grace, it is a service to his people, a bridge between diverse but united peoples, a meeting of cultures in sacred lands, a continuous learning to unlearn, a meeting of much love and much appreciation where many hearts converge, many sincere and  friendly hands embrace each other, many faces reveal the tenderness of God and many traces of simplicity, struggle, dedication, perseverance and hope come together.

For every moment lived, celebrated and shared; for every effort reached and every battle won; for the presence of God and the thousands of faces of happy children, of enthusiastic young people and full of hope; of working men and women, patient , courageous and believers; men and women of different peoples, nations, cultures and color that have been motivation in my journey as a religious missionary and priest, today I sing a song of thanksgiving to God on this fifteenth anniversary of my priestly ordination. Thank you everyone for your friendship, closeness and, above all, thank you for your constant faithful prayer.

Thanks to the country of Haiti that saw me born. Thanks to the Derisseau Victor family, my blood family. Thanks to the Saint John Baptist Parish of Trou-du-Nord where I was submerged in the baptismal waters. Thanks also to my religious-congregational family, CICM. Thanks to you my brother and fellow priests. Thanks to the Bethany Center and his personnel, El Calvario Parish of Cobán and its personnel and parishioners, and thanks be done to all the people of God.

I listen to the gospel again and I hear these words again: Rabbi, where are you staying? Come and you will see. May the Lord continue to enlighten my life and my path for following him, staying with him, enjoying his company, serving my brothers with joy, and finding life in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus. In this day of joy, happiness and gratitude, let us ask to the Lord to teach us his way, and lead us on a straight road. Amen.

 P. Maxi Charitable Derisseau, cicm