A Caribbean Visitation

On Sunday we were afforded a special treat – the spiritual highlight of the cruise – when we boarded buses and were transported to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. This Cathedral is located in the city of Port of Spain, located on the island of Trinidad. 

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

We were greeted at the Cathedral by our Caribbean Magnificat sisters. They had been told of our visit to their city months ago, and were so excited for us to be here. They greeted us with typical Caribbean enthusiasm.

The Caribbean Magnificat representative, Bernadette Patrick, welcomed us on behalf of her local Magnificat sisters. There is a Magnificat Chapter here in Trinidad and another one in the nearby island of Tobago. The program we were handed in Church had some words of welcome from Bernadette:

"With hearts full of gratitude and joyful expectation, I warmly welcome you to this historic Caribbean Visitation of Magnificat International, themed ‘An Explosion of Grace.’ This sacred gathering unites international leadership, clergy, and local chapter members in Trinidad and Tobago for a powerful encounter…Founded in 1981 in New Orleans, Magnificat…began as a prayer meal for women and has become an international movement dedicated to holiness, evangelization, and spiritual growth, echoing the call of the Second Vatican Council to women to bring the Gospel into the heart of the world. This ministry was planted in Caribbean soil in 1983…Today, Magnificat thrives across Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Barbados, Dominica, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.”

Magnificat is so prominent here that the archbishop himself said Mass. The Mass was not a regularly scheduled Sunday Mass, but was added for the sole purpose of Magnificat, although other people were allowed to join and the Cathedral was full. Apparently the faith is alive and well in Trinidad. Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon of Port of Spain was the main celebrant, and other local priests, along with our very own Fr. Tom, concelebrated.

The choir consisted of local Trinidad people plus Susan, Mary, and Cathy from Magnificat. The Trinidad people played their lively, vibrant traditional style of music alongside the Magnificat charismatic style. This eclectic mix of music, voices, and cultures blended together as we sang “Let us build the City of God…His children one and all.”

Choir

Today's Gospel reading was from Matthew chapter 5, where Jesus said to His disciples “You are the salt of the earth.” Archbishop Gordon, in his sermon, said that when he is invited to a dinner, he is typically asked if he has any food allergies. He said he always responds by saying, “Yes, I’m allergic to bad food.” He went on to say that food that is unseasoned and bland is “bad food” and tied that in to how salt flavors and seasons food. As followers of Christ, we are called to be salt to the world. If you read my blog on St. Maarten/St. Martin, our bus driver Pedro had told us how valuable salt was there and he called it white gold. The Archbishop’s sermon made me think of that.

After a very joyful and uplifting Mass, we were bussed to a local bank, where we enjoyed a reception in the lobby of the bank, to get to know and visit with some of the Caribbean Magnificat ladies. One lady sat down next to me and introduced herself as Rosalie. I said hello and said “It’s nice to meet you, Rosalie.” She responded, “That’s amazing.” I asked what was amazing and she told me that no one pronounces her name correctly, but I did pronounce it correctly. I didn’t see what was so difficult about the pronunciation of the name Rosalie, but I did tell her that I had an aunt Rosalie and that was how I always pronounced it.

On the bus ride to the Cathedral, we had enjoyed some typical street scenes of Trinidad. It seems much livelier and more populous than the islands we previously visited.

After the reception, Joe and I walked back to the cruise terminal and boarded the ship. 

The weather was sunny and in the 80s, perfect for a nice walk. After our first day in St. Maarten where we endured a rainy day at the beach, we’ve been having only sunshine and warm temperatures on the cruise. And we’re grateful for that, because, after all, that’s what you want on a Caribbean cruise!

And here's a beautiful sunset that we witnessed as we sailed away from Trinidad.