We must control Carnival, Carnival must not control us

By Fr Robert Christo, Vicar for Communications

This was inspired by Blessed Anthony Pantin.

Growing up in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago—the Mecca of Carnival—with the Savannah grass as my playground, many call me a Carnival babe. I agree, because from as early as six years of age, I felt  it deep down in my DNA.

Now, as a priest, I can reflect on the indelible images left on my soul: the kaleidoscope of colour, rhythm, and raw human expression. For me, it’s a season where creativity takes the streets by storm—steelpans roar on the Savannah stage, masqueraders in vibrant costumes dance through the streets, and music pulsates from every corner. Carnival is a canvas splashed with the brilliance of a nation’s culture, but like all art, it carries its shadows and evil, too.

There’s no denying the sheer genius and Christian roots behind our Carnival. From the panyard to the big yard, young people who have never read a note of music create symphonies that rival orchestras.

It’s communion with sacrifice, commitment, teamwork, and discipline in its purest form—teams of pannists blending their talents in harmony, echoing what the Eucharist embodies: unity. The panyard can then become a model of Church and fertile ground for evangelism.

There’s also hope—a young man from Sea Lots, Akhenaton Lewis aka ‘Yung Bredda’, is making waves, transitioning from Groovy Soca to Calypso, reviving a genre rich with storytelling. His journey from a challenging background to national stardom is a testament that hope never disappoints, as Pope Francis reminds us.

Carnival is not just music and mas; it’s an economic engine. Vendors selling oranges, doubles men feeding hungry crowds, roadies assisting stage managers, street dwellers collecting empty bottles for a living—it’s a microcosm of life, where everyone has a role and everyone benefits. It’s culture, commerce, and community colliding in beautiful chaos.

But let’s be honest—Carnival has its darker notes. Obscenity parades alongside artistry. Nudity overshadows creativity. Intoxication sometimes drowns the deeper rhythms of unity and joy. There’s a thin line between liberation and excess, and, more often than not, that line is crossed.

As Catholics, do we stand at the sidelines, wagging fingers at the chaos? Can we also confront the real dark Carnival-esque shadows that haunt our minds outside the season?

Or do we dive in—not to lose ourselves—but to be the salt and light Jesus calls us to be? Bishop Robert Barron warns that if we don’t evangelise the culture, the culture will evangelise us. Creating a dichotomy leaves no space for evangelism. We must shape Carnival rather than let Carnival shape us.

Carnival is here to stay. It is in our DNA —just look at the babe in arms during Kiddies Carnival, pulsating with life, instinctively moving to the beat. That creative energy is a gift.

But like all gifts, it needs direction. Imagine a Carnival that highlights creativity without compromising dignity—a celebration that’s bold, vibrant, and life-affirming—but also chaste, respectful, and rooted in our deeper values.

We must control Carnival. Carnival must not control us. We’re not called to reject culture but to transform it. The Church has always baptised local customs, breathing new life into them. Carnival is no exception.

Carnival code

So, as the streets fill with colour and sound this season, let’s be present—not as judges, but as guides, offering pathways for creativity that align with human dignity. Because when Carnival is at its best, it reflects the joy of the Creator.

And for those looking for a little guide, here’s a CARNIVAL code to keep in mind:

C – Be Chaste

A – Arrive Alive (Don’t let ALCOHOL steal your joy)

R – Respect Yourself, Respect Others, Respect the Creator

N – Say No to Nudity

I –  Am the Temple of the Holy Spirit (God lives in me)

V – Value Your Body

A – Abstain

L – Lead by Example

Let’s celebrate responsibly. Let’s celebrate joyfully. But most importantly, let’s celebrate wisely. There is an Ash Wednesday!