For more than seven decades, the Passionists have walked alongside the people of Jamaica, sharing the Gospel through parish ministry, education, healthcare, outreach and friendship.
This summer, Fr. James Price, CP, St. Paul of the Cross Provincial Superior, returned to the island with Fr. Paul Ruttle, CP, Fr. Rob Carbonneau, CP, Sr. Maureen Kervick and Anthony Mullen to celebrate that remarkable legacy and to give thanks for the countless lives accompanied through through the Passionist mission.
Their pilgrimage included liturgies of thanksgiving, visits with longtime collaborators and opportunities to reflect on the enduring impact of the Passionist charism across the island.
Along the way, Fr. Jim shared a series of video reflections from places that have shaped both his own ministry and the history of the Passionists in Jamaica.
Black River: A Community of Faith and Resilience
One of the first stops was St. Teresa’s Church in Black River, where Fr. Jim served from 2014 to 2016. Returning to celebrate Mass with the parish community was both joyful and emotional.
The parish suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica in October 2025. While repairs continue, signs of hope are everywhere. The church building is currently being used as a basic school while parishioners gather for Mass in the sacristy.
Reflecting on the visit, Fr. Jim remembered the generations of Passionists who ministered in Black River, including Fr. Dave Roberts, CP, and the many Passionist Volunteers International who served alongside the parish community. He also recalled the broad ministry centered there over the years, including the parish, school, hospital, infirmary, home visitation and outreach throughout the surrounding communities.
Despite the challenges, Fr. Jim was struck by the gratitude and faith of the people. Their witness reflects the Gospel lived in everyday life as they continue rebuilding with hope.
Christiana: A Legacy That Lives On
The journey continued to Sacred Heart in Christiana, one of the earliest Passionist missions in Jamaica.
Standing outside the original church building, Fr. Jim reflected on the many Passionists who served there, especially Fr. Brice Edwards, CP, whose love for the people left a lasting impression that is still remembered today. He also recalled the continuing generosity of the family of Fr. Anthony Fury, CP, whose support for the mission continued decades after his death.
The legacy they left behind is still going. We’re grateful to God for the wonderful and beautiful people of Jamaica for giving us the opportunity to walk with them in this part of the vineyard.
Fr. Jim Price, CP, Provincial Superior, St. Paul of the Cross Province
Today, the original church stands beside a newer parish church and thriving school, tangible reminders that the seeds planted by generations of Passionists continue to bear fruit.
Santa Cruz: Hope Through Collaboration
At St. Croix Catholic Church in Santa Cruz, Fr. Jim highlighted another important chapter in the Passionist story. The parish was built through the vision of Fr. Bertram Chin, CP, the first Jamaican Passionist priest, who dreamed of the church long before his ordination and later helped it become a vibrant center of faith.
Like Black River, Santa Cruz continues recovering from Hurricane Melissa. The storm severely damaged the church and destroyed the community clinic, which had long served many of the area’s most vulnerable residents.
Even so, ministry continues.
The doctor’s office, examination room and pharmacy have been temporarily relocated inside the church, allowing healthcare to continue while rebuilding efforts move forward.
Fr. Jim also celebrated the longstanding partnership between the Passionists and the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi. For decades, the sisters have served the people of Jamaica through healthcare, education, home visits and outreach to those most in need. Their joyful witness and unwavering commitment continue to bring Christ’s compassion to communities facing significant challenges.
Collaborators in Mission: The Assumption Sisters of Nairobi
During his visit to Santa Cruz, Fr. Jim also introduced Sr. Veronica, an Assumption Sister of Nairobi who serves as a nurse at St. Croix Catholic Clinic. She shared how the clinic has long provided healthcare, home visits and rehabilitation services to the surrounding community, continuing the mission of compassionate care established through the partnership between the Diocese of Mandeville, the Passionists and the Assumption Sisters.
After Hurricane Melissa destroyed the clinic in October 2025, the ministry did not stop. Thanks to the strength and foresight of the church built by the Passionists, the sisters transformed rooms within the parish into temporary examination rooms, a pharmacy and consultation space so patients could continue receiving care while plans for a permanent clinic move forward.
Sr. Veronica expressed deep gratitude for the Passionists’ decades of support, remembering the late Bishop Neil Tiedemann, CP, who welcomed the Assumption Sisters to Jamaica, and Fr. Michael McAndrew, CP, whose spiritual guidance sustained the sisters throughout the recovery. Her testimony is a moving reminder that the Passionist mission continues to bear fruit through faithful collaborators who bring Christ’s healing presence to those most in need.
Balaclava: A Place of Formation and Compassion
Fr. Jim also visited St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother in Balaclava, a peaceful mountain community that holds a special place in Passionist history. Over the years, the mission grew beyond the parish to include St. Gabriel’s Academy, a retreat ministry begun by Fr. Martin Tucker, CP, and a personal care home that continues today under the care of the Missionaries of Charity.
Balaclava was the first assignment for many Passionists who went on to serve throughout Jamaica, making it a place filled with memories and lasting influence. Passionist Volunteers International also served there for many years, supporting the Missionaries of Charity in their ministry to those in need.
Surrounded by the beauty of Jamaica’s hills, Fr. Jim reflected with gratitude on the generations of Passionists, volunteers and religious sisters whose faithful service has made Balaclava a lasting witness to compassion and hope.
Remembering the Missionaries Who Built the Mission
At St. Paul of the Cross Cathedral in Mandeville, Fr. Jim reflected on the place that served as the heart of the Passionist mission in Jamaica for generations. Walking through the Passionist cemetery on the cathedral grounds, he remembered the missionaries whose lives and ministry helped shape the Church across the island.
Among those honored were Fr. Bertram Chin, CP, the first Jamaican Passionist and the first Jamaican Passionist Vicar Provincial, whose energy and leadership inspired countless people, along with Fr. Anthony Fury, CP, Fr. Ernest Toner, CP, Fr. William Whan, CP and Fr. Ronald Beaton, CP, all of whom left an enduring mark on the Church in Jamaica.
Fr. Jim also paid special tribute to Fr. Richard Leary, CP, who began his missionary ministry in Jamaica at age 60 after a distinguished career in Atlanta, and Fr. Martin Tucker, CP, whose gifts as a retreat preacher and spiritual director helped establish Calvary Retreat House as a center of renewal. Together, these missionaries represent a generation of Passionists whose faith, perseverance and generous service continue to inspire the Province and the people of Jamaica today.
Continuing the Mission
Fr. Michael Rowe, CP, reflected on his years of ministry in Jamaica with deep gratitude as he prepares for a new assignment in Scranton. During his time on the island, he served in retreat ministry at Mount Calvary Retreat House before becoming pastor of St. Paul of the Cross Cathedral in Mandeville for 10 years.
Looking back, Fr. Michael spoke especially about his ministry with Passionist Volunteers International, whose enthusiasm and commitment helped him discover new ways of accompanying people on the margins. While saddened by the conclusion of the Jamaican mission, he remains grateful for the relationships and lessons it fostered.
Fr. Michael also extended an invitation to others to become part of the Passionist mission, encouraging anyone seeking to serve to join in the work of bringing Christ’s compassion and hope to those in need.
Walking Together in Gratitude
We extend our prayers and gratitude for the missionaries who faithfully served the island of Jamaica over the past 71 years.
“We give gratitude to God for allowing us to walk with the people of Jamaica for so many years and to see the charism alive in their goodness and struggle.”
Fr. Jim Price, CP, Provincial Superior, St. Paul of the Cross Province
Whether remembering the missionaries who came before, celebrating the resilience of communities rebuilding after disaster or witnessing the faithful service of longtime collaborators, our time in Jamaica reminds us that the Passionist charism continues to flourish wherever people accompany one another with compassion, hope and the memory of Christ’s Passion.
