Roman Catholic Archbishop-elect of Port of Spain Joseph Harris said yesterday that while most people do not accept their "cross" of suffering very easily, at a young age he knew he wanted to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and took up his "cross".

Harris yesterday delivered the sermon during Mass at the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church at Princes Town, his second Mass since he was consecrated on Wednesday.

He recalled that when he was just ten or 11 years old he told himself that to follow Christ he needed to take up his cross, which he believed meant physical suffering.  

"I got some (nylon string)", the Archbishop-elect said, "I made knots in it and I made a hook like and I put it over the big toe. I put on my socks and shoes and went to school everyday walking on this knotted (string). Of course it was painful. I said to myself I am following Jesus."

Harris told the congregation that within a week his mother noticed holes in his socks and asked him about them.

He recalled: "I said to her Mummy, the gospel says I have to take up my cross every day if I want to be a disciple. So I put the marline in my shoes so that I can suffer. My mother look at me and said : 'Son, stop the nonsense'."

Harris said later in life he understood that the "carrying of the cross" referred to living the gospel of Jesus Christ and calling others to live the gospel.  

After the sermon, Harris prayed for the country that "under the guidance of God's spirit our leaders will be able to come to dialogue and consensus so that we can ensure that our citizens live truly human lives".