Since 2014, ten years ago, the first Redemptorists arrived in Belize. Our work is carried out in the Sacred Heart Parish, in Dangriga, in the south of the country. Its territorial extension is vast, and its culture is diverse since we accompany different communities like Garifuna, Hispanic, Mopan Maya and Q’eqchi.
About half of the twenty-two villages that comprise the Redemptorist mission in Belize belong to the Q’eqchi culture (pronounced Kekchi). In addition to their own language, some of them speak English and others Spanish. The older ones only understand their vernacular language. Eucharists are usually celebrated in these languages (English and Spanish) and in some villages, we have a Q’eqchi translator. It is very nice to find trilingual and even quadrilingual brothers, including children.
Their roots are found in Guatemala and Belize. Some say that their culture began around 600 years before Christ. The great influence of the Q’eqchí culture is found in Alta Verapaz and Baja Verapaz, in western Guatemala. The Guatemalan armed conflict forced many of them to leave their country and settle in other nearby regions.
They are characterized by community life, organization, respect and obedience to their leaders, love for the land and agriculture, and the preservation of their culture and faith. In all masses, there is usually incense, natural flowers, an entrance procession and songs. In some communities, they have a marimba, a wooden instrument with which they play musical accompaniment.
Every month they hold meetings to learn songs, strengthen faith, encourage young people and create community ties. For us Redemptorists, it is a beautiful missionary challenge to accompany them and share the Gospel of Jesus with them. But it is also an incredible experience to learn from them and let the Lord continue to speak to us through our interlocutors.
Fr. Bryan Arriola, CSsR
Belize
