Red washes over Corpus Christi

PRAYERS for the Soca Warriors ascended like sweet incense at yesterday’s Corpus Christi Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Con-ception on Independence Square, Port-of-Spain.

Interceding on behalf of the team before the massive crowd of worshippers assembled outside the church, Fr Christian Perreria prayed that the Warriors would give a “confident and creative” performance in the game against England.

Newsday was informed that Archbishop Edward Gilbert was not present at yesterday’s mass because he was out of the country.

The anticipation of yesterday’s game did not deter the faithful from attending the mass and the majority of the hundreds of men, women and children in attendance, demonstrated their patriotism by wearing red.

Warriors T-shirts, bandanas, caps and even flags were on full display, even on the toddlers and babes in arms. Supporters who were not clad in Warriors paraphernalia wore whatever red clothing they owned. Despite the sweltering heat, worshippers sang lustily and prayed fervently for the nation’s youths and the overall good of the country. The faithful were reminded of the importance of the annual Corpus Christi feast, which was introduced so they could reflect on the significance of the Eucharist.

The mass was held in the cathedral’s parking lot, which was not large enough to accommodate everyone. The crowd spilled onto the Brian Lara Promenade and some even lined the pavements on either side of the cathedral. Following the mass, attendees were able to partake of the Holy Eucharist before the procession. The procession, led by Corpus Christi College, made its way west along Independence Square with the singing of hymns and the utterances of prayers.

The worshippers made a brief stop on the promenade, north of Central Bank, where a blessing was pronounced on the chalice of the Blessed Sacrament.

The procession then returned to the cathedral under a light Corpus Christi drizzle.