By Vernon Khelawan

Publicly displaying our Catholic Identity is something that Roman Catholics in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain have traditionally never been afraid of doing.

It would seem, however, that since so much emphasis has been placed on this aspect of our Church life through the Second Pastoral Priority – Revitalising Catholic Culture and Identity – there has been in the past several weeks a definite upsurge in public displays of our culture, and indeed our identity, in many different ways.

And it is not only the laity who is organising and participating in these displays of Catholicism. Many of our priests, led by the Archbishop himself, His Grace Joseph Harris, are speaking out on issues, moral and social, which not only impact the Archdiocese, but the entire nation.

On the Feast of Corpus Christi, Archbishop Joseph Harris celebrated Mass at the Grand Stand of the Queen’s Park Savannah, and after Mass, thousands (more than usual) took part in a massive procession through the streets of Port of Spain to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception where the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Nicola Girasoli gave the Benediction. (The Cathedral has been closed since April 9 for a multi-million dollar renovation exercise now in progress.)

Then, last Sunday, Catholics turned out in their numbers again at the Savannah, in spite of the inclement weather, to celebrate Mass and bring the curtain down on the series of concerts titled “Make a Joyful Noise”, held all over the country since April. It was a day full of local entertainment, indigenous food, and enjoyed by all who attended.

On Tuesday, Labour Day (June 19), there is yet another public display of Catholic Culture and Identity when the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission and the Catholic Youth Commission hold a grand Family Fun Sports Day on the grounds of Presentation College, Chaguanas. The 2010 celebration was a resounding success and this year it is expected to be even better.