L’Amee Celeste (the celestial army) is a Haitian religious cult. I admit here and now that I have not seen most of what I will describe in this essay. Outsiders generally cannot see all of the Heavenly Army practices due to the secrecy of the movement. It is also necessary to point out that practices within the movement vary from group to group. It is not a standardized set of practices and beliefs, but there are many aspects that all groups seem to incorporate.
Some will be outraged that the heavenly groups are described as a fusion of Pentecostal and voodoo practices. Some will not want any description of outsiders at all. Part of this is from Haitian culture, which is enigmatic (as well as a culture of imitation, survival, and animism). An enigmatic culture does not want to be fully understood by outsiders. So the Heavenly Army movement is something Haitian, and Haitians don’t want it to be understood. It’s theirs and they want to keep it for themselves.
So how do I know about L’Amee Celeste? I have spent enough time in Haiti that I have developed a network of friends who trust me enough to tell me many things about Haiti, including the Heavenly Army. Thesis facts about the Celestial Army are, therefore, anecdotal facts rather than verified and observed.
As in many sects, the Heavenly Army groups wear robes to identify their worshipers. Most of those who wear dresses choose blue dresses. It is a point that should be noted that in a nation as poor as Haiti, whatever money they have is needed more for food and necessities than for costumes. However, to be fair, people who attend Protestant churches also feel the need to “dress up” in Sunday clothes. Shoes, pants (or a dress) without holes, and a white shirt are also an expense for the poor in Haiti. It seems that religion is always expensive for the poor.
The Armee Celeste uses native music rather than translations of religious music from the United States and other Christian cultural groups. This is a departure from traditional Christianity in Haiti.
I forgot to make this point: Haitians are quick and strong to say that the Celestial movement is Haitian! This is said in a way that outsiders know that they don’t think they need to defend the Heavenly Army. And, part of what makes Heavenly Army uniquely Haitian is the music. Outsiders may want to make the connection between this music and Voudou, but the leaders of the movement will respond (if they want to respond) that it is just a Haitian expression of their faith in God.
I have been told that pastors (leaders) often activate the holy spirit in adherent women touching their genitals. I have been told that sometimes a person is healed hitting the sick person with sticks.
What I am sure now is that the only time I visited a group from L’Amee Celeste, the pastor called me to the platform, as would have happened in any Protestant church in Haiti. And, while I was there, I didn’t see the exceptional practices that I have been told about. This is the main reason I feel comfortable saying that they don’t mind proving their Haitian uniqueness to outsiders.
Or maybe my Haitian friends have given me inaccurate information. Everything is possible in Haiti.