A communication from Brother Jean-Michel reached the Secretariat of the Subiaco Congregation bringing news from Morne Saint-Benoît, Port au Prince, Haiti.
This afternoon we experienced here the rather violent jolts of the earthquake which touched Port au Prince and the zones of Petionville and Carrefour with full force. The brothers who have family in these zones are anxious. It is known that several public buildings were damaged. One cannot telephone any more in Port au Prince because the relays of telecommunication have been disturbed.
At Morne [Mount] St. Benedict the buildings held the shock well. I was with Abbot Jacques when the jolt was felt, it lasted a good minute. We left to go outside to the back of the building. A cloud of dust rose up the Morne and one heard a thunderous noise. That lasted a little while.
At the moment when I am writing these lines, we have just felt two jolts which made us leave the building again. We do not fear anything here, but we can imagine the situation at Port au Prince. I hope that we will not be shaken too much this night.
So long,
Bro. Jean-Michel
The Abbot Visitor, present in Haiti for a canonical visit, and the Abbot of Landevennec also sent messages to the Secretariat assuring them their brother monks in Haiti were safe.
The extent of the destruction and loss of life in the capital, however, is incalculable. Catholic Relief Services is participating in a scheme making it possible to make a donation from a cell phone as well as online by using a credit card. Most authorities agree that at this stage of the crisis, donations of cash are the most efficient way to offer support. The people of Haiti figure prominently in the prayers of Benedictines and their friends throughout the world.
i have several relatives who were also vicitimized by the earthquake in Haiti. thank God that they were not seriously hurt. i hope and pray that Haiti would be able to recover soon from this disaster.