Anicet is one of the 12 (twelve) novices in Monteagudo, Navarra, Spain. Within one year, these twelve young men of 21 to 29 years of age are preparing for their consecration to God through the evangelical counsels. They come from six countries; namely Venezuela, Peru, Costa Rica, Mexico, England and Haiti.
Q. – Anicet, the Order is concerned because according to the Vicar of the Dominican Republic your family is missing, how are they?
A.- Thank God I was already able to talk to them. They are fine. Only at this moment, I was not able to talk to my sister who is studying in Puerto Principe, but nothing to worry because one aunt of mine told me she is also fine. The building where she studies fell down but luckily her schedule was in the morning, the earthquake occured in the afternoon.
Q.- How were you informed regarding the disaster?
A.- Early Wednesday morning I woke up not feeling well and they informed me. They said that the earthquake registered 7,3 grade in the Richter scale which in my mind nothing would be left of Haiti. I immediately called up my family but to no avail. All communication lines were destroyed. Until friday there was no way to contact my parents, my two younger brothers who live with them.
Q.- What does your family narrate to you?
A.- According to them, the tremor was being felt at home but fortunately only some furnitures and picture frames fell down. Nevertheless some of my uncles lost their houses, the roofs were tattered and the floors cracked. Meanwhile they are residing at home with my parents. Since the day of the earthquake I don't have any whereabouts of one of my cousins, neither the sisters of my mother(my aunts) who lived near the Presidential Palace. I don't know either what happened to my town, what I know there are many families and townmates studying in Puerto Principe which is now a devastated area.
Q.- Have you seen some pictures of the tragedy?
Anicet is one of the 12 (twelve) novices in Monteagudo, Navarra, Spain. A.- When I saw the images, pictures of the Palace in the internet, I could not sleep for three nights thinking of my loved ones until I was able to communicate with them. Thanks be to God that I have the full support (including moral one) from the whole community. I could not thank enough the concern of Ricardo Mediavilla, the novice master. Likewise I received many calls of concern and support from the General Secretary of the Order, the Vicar of the Dominican Republic and from the many friars of the Order. Last Saturday the community of Monteagudo organized a special prayer for the people of Haiti.
Q.- Are you planning to visit Haiti now?
A.- After knowing the extent of the calamity it occured to me the desire to help either in curing the sick or whatever manner. Had my family been directly hit I could have gone home immediately. I am very much affected by the catastrophe and I worry of what had happened, but now I feel relieved. I will continue the novitiate year and after august 2010 I will proceed to Torrente, Valencia, Spain for theological studies unless the prior provincial say otherwise.
Q.- What do you want to say to those people who collaborate?
A.- I don't have enough words to express how I feel, perhaps I can do it better in french language. I am very touched by the help sent by Spain and United States to Haiti. If only I have the telephone numbers of all these institutions and organizations in solidarity helping my country I could have called up and thanked all of them. It is indeed great what they are doing. Words are lacking to express my gratitude.