Annual Feast of our Lady-Of-Mount-Carmel or Vierge-Miracle Saut-d'Eau 

There is no denying that Haitians are predominantly Catholic who believe in the power of prayer. The annual feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel is a nine days event that starts from July 7th and ends on July 16 when the church is reverberated with prayers and songs of praise. There are believers who would swear that they have, at one point or another experienced some kind of miracle and that their prayers have been answered. Thousands of Pilgrims from around the world travel to Saut-d’Eau for the Annual-Feast and to participate in the festivities associated with it. There are pilgrims who come in pursuit of spiritual happiness or in search of miracles through the intercession of Vierge-Miracle the patron saint of Saut-d'Eau. For many, the journey to Saut-d’Eau has a personal significance because of unexpected spiritual experiences that have occurred in their lives. These people return to Saut d’Eau again and again and spend their day in the sanctuary of the Church of our Lady of Mount Carmel to pray, worship, and reflect on their personal lives. In general, pilgrims travel to Saut d'Eau to participate in the Eucharistic celebration and to honor Vierge Miracle - the most celebrated patron saint in Haiti.  Legend has it that the Virgin Mary have appeared on a palm tree in 1847 in the Palms Grove, in Saut d'Eau

This year (July 2007), at the invitation of Mgr. Louis Kébreau, The RC Bishop of the diocese of Hinche, Mgr. Mario Giordana, the apostolic nuncio in Haiti, came to Saut d'Eau to be part of the pilgrimage.  A solemn mass was celebrated. The celebrants included Mgr. Giordana, Mgr. Kébreau, the pastor of the parish, Père Phito Gilles, and many other priests from around the diocese. There were many local and national government officials in attendance as well as thousands of catholic faithful who travel to Saut d’Eau specifically for this vibrant and energetic Eucharistic celebration. As always, the church was reverberated with music and songs of praise.

In his sermon, the Bishop of Hinche, Msgr. Kebreau asked the pilgrims to have faith and work together to create a just society of progress and love. Then, it was the turn of the Papal Nuncio, Msgr. Mario Giordana to address the faithful. In eloquent créole, the representant of Pope Benedict XVI in Haiti not only thanked the pilgrims for being there but he exhorted the people of God to believe in the virtuous and powers of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, who is celebrated under the name of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Finally, the Pastor of the Parrish, Father Fito Gilles, welcomed and thanked the members of the clergy, elected officials and police officials, present in the sanctuary for the event.