Corpus Christi Motorcade in Tobago

On the Solemnity of Corpus Christi 2024, the Catholic community in Tobago took to the streets to spread the light of Christ through the Most Holy Eucharist. Following the morning Mass at St Joseph RC Church, Fr Leslie Tang Kai, accompanied by seminarian Br Felician, rode atop a vehicle to present the Blessed Sacrament. Despite inclement weather, parishioners turned out in large numbers to participate in the motorcade, which made stops at key points in Scarborough.

The motorcade featured three prayer stops: the ‘I LOVE TOBAGO’ sign near the Scarborough Port, the Scarborough RC Primary School, and the garden-side carpark. Prayers were offered for the education system and to address the rising crime rate in Tobago.

Fr Leslie emphasised the necessity of “taking Jesus to the nation,” especially considering the ten murders recorded on the island this year. He even offered petitions for the food supply and natural resources on the island, that there may be sufficient local resources to supply the island’s people.

As the morning rains poured down, songs of praise and worship echoed through the Scarborough community, to celebrate and share the presence of Christ in Blessed Sacrament.

After being drenched by what Fr Leslie described as “showers of blessing,” the motorcade returned to St Joseph RC Church for the final Benediction. All vehicles reconvened at the Scarborough RC compound, and the congregation gathered inside the church.

During the final Benediction, the congregation recited the prayer of Eucharistic Consecration from Matthew Kelly’s 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory, consecrating their lives to the Blessed Sacrament.

Finally, the congregation was left with words of thanksgiving for the showers of rain and for the gift of the Body and Blood presented in the form of the Holy Eucharist.

Fr Leslie prayed that the Corpus Christi rains would bring blessings and wash away the ailments and corruption on the island of Tobago. —Gabrielia Sooklal