Launch of Santa Rosa Month

Heritage, culture and faith continue to flourish in Trinidad and Tobago with the 238th observance of the Feast of Santa Rosa de Lima, the oldest indigenous festival in the country.

Santa Rosa Month officially launched August 1 with a cannon display and smoke ceremony at the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community Centre. Among those in attendance were parishioners of the Santa Rosa RC, Mayor of Arima Balliram Maharaj and Member of Parliament for Arima Pennelope Beckles.

The month-long celebration is a collaboration between the Santa Rosa/Malabar Cluster and the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community Council. The observance culminates on August 24, with a Feast Day Mass at the Santa Rosa RC Church, followed by a procession through the streets of Arima. The actual feast day of Santa Rosa de Lima falls on August 23, but this year’s public celebration will take place the following day, Sunday.

Fr Robert Christo, moderator of the cluster, described the celebration as “a living encounter between the Church, the First Peoples, and civil leadership”.

Fr Christo told The Catholic News the journey has not always been smooth and there were “tensions” in the past due to fear of syncretism and misunderstanding of First Peoples’ rituals. He said, “today we speak not of syncretism but synergy. That means mutual respect, listening, and honouring the deep spiritual heritage of the First Peoples without diluting culture. The priests and the chief now walk side by side—synodality, not to blend traditions indiscriminately but to build bridges of shared purpose.”

Fr Christo sees Santa Rosa Month as a time to reclaim identity, heal historical wounds and reimagine the future.  He added, “It’s real opportunities for catechesis and evangelisation through culture, liturgy through legacy…school visits, public liturgies, and traditional dances aren’t just cultural expressions, they are acts of memory, resistance and hope”.

Looking beyond the celebration, Fr Christo emphasised the importance of ongoing “practical mission.” He spoke of the need to create opportunities to walk with the First Peoples in their needs: education, youth mentorship, access to sacraments and ongoing cultural recognition.

A full calendar of events has been planned by the Santa Rosa Parish, including:

Santa Rosa Novena:

Thursday, August 14–Friday, 22

Praise Boat Ride:

Saturday, August 16

Santa Rosa Park lighting and fireworks: Saturday, August 23

Santa Rosa Feast Day Mass and Harvest: Sunday, August 24.

The harvest celebration on August 24 will feature a festive atmosphere  with booths offering items on sale, games and handicrafts. From 5 p.m., there will be musical entertainment: Parang and steelband performances. — LPG