Christmas is, at its heart, a story of rescue. Rescue because Christ entered the world to take upon his shoulders the burdens we could not carry, to draw our wandering souls back from lost places.

And in this moment of our national journey, rescue and nourishment of the Dominican soul is sorely needed.

But what is this “soul of our island”? What is that deep, foundational essence that makes us a unique civilization on this earth?

In the daily scramble of life, it is easy to forget. Time for reflection gets crowded out. Yet even when we cannot fully articulate it, we all recognize when our precious “special sauce” as a people starts breaking down. We sense it not with cold logic of the mind but with the quiet intuition of the heart. A heaviness, a sadness, a feeling that something beloved is fraying at the edges.

We sense that soul fraying when we witness corruption in office. We feel it observing wanton political favoritism. We feel it in rising, senseless violence. We feel it in the careless way we drive on our roads as though human life has lost its weight. We feel it in the many daily acts of disregard for rules, for community, for each other.

Yet I remain convinced that our soul is not undone. Not yet. Because every day, I still see evidence of its resilience. I see hope in the warmth and twinkle in the eyes of the vendors at daybreak in the market – those bearers of color, humor, grit, and grace in simplicity. I see hope when a random cluster of Dominicans meets in an airport and, within minutes, we are trading jokes and belly-laughing as if reunited family. I see hope in the young student who still says, “Good afternoon, sir,” with pride in the uniform and promise in the voice. I feel inspiration in the elderly lady who tenderly pulls me aside on the street to ask, “Mr. Hurtault, you doing ok nah? Don’t give up uno… Bondieu, we need all you wi.” And as I walk away, teary eyed with emotion, resolving silently to myself “No, mammy – we won’t let you down,” 

I feel that collective soul alive and beating.

So let us not allow cynicism, exploitation, unfairness, or despair to steal that soul from us.
What we possess is rare in a world grown shallow with endless toil and the chase for money. Dominica still offers the possibility of a truly good life that balances work with wonder, effort with joy, survival with celebration. We still have the chance to be a global example of what a humane society can look like. Let’s fight for that chance.

In that spirit, the DFP joins all Dominicans in reaffirming our togetherness, our compassion, our humility – and above all, our Dominicaness. Because what we fight to preserve on this gem of an island is nothing less than the right to shape a civilization rooted in warmth, respect, prosperity, global example, compassion, and an exuberant love of life.

So, in the spirit of Christmas, let us commit now and forever to walk that path. The DFP walks humbly beside you. May the spirit of Christ guide you, and may your Dominicaness sustain and inspire you.

Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to all!