The dwelling of our first missionaries in Deshaies. Built on a solid foundation of prayer and renunciation, the missions of Guadeloupe are today very flourishing.

Every Friday of Lent,
the Fathers make the Way of the Cross.

Father Joseph of the Immaculate began to clear the land to make a garden. His perpetual smile hid a genuine and modest heroism.

The first fruit trees are already promising.
And yes!... the shack in the background is indeed the home of our missionaries.

The first chapel built in Deshaies, with sheet metal and cardboard. The people, touched by the evangelical example of the Fathers, flocked in very quickly.

At any moment, newcomers arrive to see the "Brown Fathers". Often surprised in the thick of the work, Father Joseph would leave everything and prepare to celebrate Mass immediately.

Father John Gregory presides over the Way of the Cross on Good Friday. It is a day of special graces for the fortunate pilgrims.

One of the first processions. The sight of Jesus on the Cross helps us to forget our little miseries and incites us to follow with courage the path that our Saviour has shown us in the Gospel.

After an apostolic tour, Father John Gregory blesses his dear Brothers, before resuming his flight to Canada.

July 1976, the Soufrière volcano shows signs of imminent explosion. August 15, evacuation of nearly 74,000 people, because experts predict that “the eruption will be the most terrible that the Caribbean has seen since the beginning of the century.”

The Fathers organize public processions and prayers to ask God for protection. The volcano calmed down without the expected tragedy occurring. This is the origin of the traditional processions twice a month at our missions in Guadeloupe.

In conjunction with Deshaies, an important mission is established in Pointe-Noire and another in Pointe-à-Pitre. Here we see the Pointe-Noire property at the time of its founding.

The first three missionary nuns in Guadeloupe are three Americans who do not speak French! The apostolate is carried out more by example than by words.

In the absence of a tractor, we arm ourselves with courage. With faith and hard work the challenge is met.

A baptism in the first chapel. Jesus, born in Bethlehem in extreme poverty, would feel at ease there.

Father John Gregory with missionaries, pioneers in Guadeloupe.

Two young priests happy to dedicate their talents to the service of the missions of Guadeloupe.

At Pointe-Noire, a grotto built near the place where the Blessed Virgin appeared in 1977, under the name of Our Lady of Tears.

Our Lady of Tears asks for prayer and penance for the salvation of the Church and the whole world. She specifies: “Don't do it out of duty, but out of love!...”

In the rainy season, the river changes into a torrent. The Blessed Virgin said: “You see this torrent... My tears are worse... For you I shed a thousand times more tears... Pray, My children, pray, don't grow weary, pray...”

Grotto of Our Lady of Tears. --In 1977, the Blessed Virgin appeared under the bridge, willing, as Her divine Son, to put Herself under the feet of all.

Grotto of Our Lady of Tears. --Father Mathurin addresses the crowd of pilgrims on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Tears.

On major feasts, the faithful are happy to come in large numbers to the Grotto where they spend hours praying and singing hymns.

Religious celebration in Pointe-Noire.
Here we see a small portion of the crowd going in procession to the Grotto, at the rhythm of prayers and hymns.

Kneeling on the stony ground, pilgrims beg for forgiveness and mercy. They come
to ask from their heavenly Mother
all the graces they need.

On Palm Sunday, distribution of the blessed palms, according to the Tradition of the Church, to commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

The procession proceeds in the paradisiacal beauty of the West Indies.
The terrain is rugged but hearts are
happy to adore God and sing
the praises of their Mother.

During the processions, some ladies have the honour of carrying the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Procession on a festive day. The spectacular “flamboyant” flowering trees provide petals in profusion to the little girls who throw them at the passage of Jesus Host.

In Pointe-Noire, a good number of faithful piously attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The heat, sometimes oppressive, would not prevent them from fulfilling their duties as Christians.

Some children have just received the wonderful privilege of First Communion.
The older ones have made their
Solemn Communion.

Way of the Cross on Good Friday.
Several of the faithful carry a cross to imitate Jesus going up to Calvary.

The priest gives the benediction with Jesus Eucharist in the monstrance. The crowd prostrates and devoutly adores our God hidden in the Host to remain always with us.

Teamwork to get the buckets of cement
to the job site.

With a pickaxe and shovel,
a Brother digs a hole for drainage pipes.

Our missionaries and some recruits. The people of Guadeloupe, very pious, have given several vocations to our Community.

Our Brothers are working hard,
planting banana trees.

Construction of new premises to shelter the Fathers and Brothers. For many years they were the most miserably housed in the district.

Squaring mahogany wood to make construction beams.

Completion of a building for the Nuns. Mahogany wood grows abundantly
on the property.

Back from the market where good people donated fruits and vegetables.

Two Nuns are busy grinding coffee in the traditional way of yesteryear.

Homemade bread to feed the members
of the Community.

A Nun who's passed the 100-year mark!
Her prayers and radiant smile are a powerful support for all.

Father Mathurin's visit to the Mission Saint Joseph in Pointe-Noire, Guadeloupe.

The priest baptizes a newborn baby. We do not impose fees for the administration of the sacraments; each one makes an offering, according to his or her possibilities.

The Nuns give religious instruction
to the children. They prepare them for
First Communion, Solemn Communion
and Confirmation.

A group of children on their way to the Chapel where they will have the joy of making their First Communion.

The crowd of attendants is overflowing from the Chapel. A good audio system allows everyone to participate in the ceremonies.

The priest distributes Holy Communion. What happiness for Jesus Host to descend into the pure hearts of children.
‍ The Kingdom of Heaven is for those
who are like them, Jesus tells us.

The faithful also come in large numbers to our mission in Deshaies. Religious monuments line the grounds and inspire meditation and prayer.

On Corpus Christi, the procession stops at a resting place decorated in honour of Jesus Host. We make amends to console Jesus for the insults He receives from His children.

In Deshaies, the priest has just blessed the union of two Christian spouses. They have committed themselves to live a Christian life and to give their children a Christian education.

People come to consult the priest, who knows how to find the right words that restore strength and courage in life's trials.

The bishop gives the
Sacrament of Confirmation.

A small group of boys who, after having learned their catechism well and having prepared themselves with a retreat, received the sacrament of Confirmation.

The Grotto of Our Lady of Tears is the heart of the mission. We like to take advantage of every opportunity to gather there.

Good Friday in Deshaies.
The faithful assiduously attend the services of Holy Week and the main holidays.

In Pointe-Noire, the Nuns are happy with their good harvest. They thank the good Lord who has given fruit to their labours.