The significance of Corpus Christi in T&T
June 12, 2025
From Adoration to vocation
June 12, 2025
By Lara Pickford-Gordon
snrwriter.camsel@catholictt.org
The combined Archdiocesan Festival Choir for the Eucharistic Congress at the Queen’s Park Oval on May 10, beautifully captured the joyous, reflective and solemn atmosphere of the day. Their music moved attendees to sing, dance and engage in heartfelt displays of fervour.
The choir was the result of a collaborative effort by a committee, along with choirs and musicians from the six vicariates. Unlike previous congresses, this year’s preparation benefited from the advances in social media, which brought the diverse groups together for rehearsals and collaboration without all encounters having to be in-person.
“There was a wonderful spirit of cooperation…we came together as a unit and it felt very much like family,” said Debbie Garcia, who was responsible for administration on the music preparation committee. Other committee members included: Winston Garica, coordinator/conductor; Gregory Wong Fo Sue, musical director; Kevin Millien, Kurt Millien, Atherly Nicholas and Cynthia Nanton.
The call for members was done through vicariates and social media choir chats. The word spread rapidly so that there was no need to publicise in The Catholic News.
As the pilgrim statue of Our Lady was paraded, two Marian hymns were sung; ‘O Come to the Throne of Grace’ and ‘Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ (Norbert Farrell). These were followed by three locally composed Jubilee pieces for this year: ‘Celebration’ (Kevin Millien), ‘Celebrate Jubilee Everywhere’ (Wong Fo Sue) and ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ (Winston Garcia).
The Praise segment was led by Nicholas, and worship by Kurt Millien. Additional music was selected for Eucharistic Adoration and the Mass.
In-person rehearsals took place at multiple venues: three at St Charles Borromeo RC Church, Tunapuna; one at St Philip and St James RC Church, Chaguanas and another at St Benedict’s RC Church, La Romaine.
Rehearsals for the Tobago contingent were held online with Wong Fo Sue. The rehearsals were at different venues to “meet people where they were at”, Debbie Garcia said.
She added, “We had the sheet music, scored music, so it was easy to share musical scores. We did recordings and we did individual parts and those were shared via WhatsApp. We had a big WhatsApp chat group with about 300 voices and one with about 22 musicians. The music was shared like that, and all the rehearsals were carried live on Facebook so people had an opportunity to connect”.
The committee “cast the net very broad” inviting choirs across the Archdiocese. There were choirs from Erin, Toco, and Point Fortin, as well as musicians from People of Praise ecclesial community, Maloney and Tunapuna. Musician Joey Rivers helped with getting musicians for a brass section.
“Whoever expressed interest was allowed in” Garcia said, though the choir was capped at 300. The final count for the group was about 386. “It was really an honour. From the get-go, we told people this is not performance, this is ministry,” Garcia said.
The choir consisted of descants, sopranos, altos, tenors and basses who drilled their parts as groups.
Spiritual preparation
Internal preparation was important before the Congress performance. Members were encouraged to do Eucharistic Adoration, attend Mass regularly and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation “so, we could be the best conduits for the grace and glory of God to flow,” Garcia said.
There was camaraderie, cooperation and focus that they were there to minister to the people.
Garcia said Congress coordinator Fr Jesse Maingot OP visited on the last rehearsal on April 26 at St Charles RC. “He was there to speak with us and to listen and encourage and pray with us. That was great”, Garcia said. She thanked Msgr Esau Joseph, Frs Steve Ransome and David Khan for use of churches for rehearsals.
Experiences
Atherly Nicholas of GRACE Music Ministry reflected on the day: “I know not everybody, but all aspects of the church and all the different communities—and dare I say all the different strata of society—were represented and there was this wholesome, blessed glorious feeling of oneness. And what came to my mind was The Creed—that part which I always try to remind myself, not only are we holy, Catholic and apostolic but we are one”.
He was struck by the “resounding, reverberating, glorious full sound” from people singing in the stands at the Oval. He said it was “glorious” to hear the choir from the different spots.
For Nicholas, the Congress was the culmination of his personal praise and worship with his family, his wife, by himself or with the GRACE Music Ministry. “Just being there was electric and amazing,” he said.
Kevin Millien said it was “a great experience” being part of such a large choir and band complimented with brass players. “I was part of the accompanying band as a keyboardist. Also, I submitted a composition called ‘Celebration’ as part of a list of songs that support the church’s Jubilee Year of God’s blessings.”
