Celebrating the Exaltation of the Cross in Princes Town

On September 14, the Parish of Princes Town celebrated its patronal feast day, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, at Holy Cross RC Church. It was the culmination of three nights of inspirational and healing Masses. His Excellency Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Santiago De Wit Guzmán was the chief celebrant.

A procession from the presbytery to the church led by student representatives of the Cubs, Scouts, and Girl Guides Association marked the beginning of the feast day’s celebration. Students of Hardbargain and Princes Town RC schools, altar servers, extraordinary ministers, lay ministers and clergy followed.

At the beginning of his homily, Archbishop De Wit Guzmán briefly explained his role as Apostolic Nuncio of Trinidad and Tobago. He said as the Church celebrated the Feast, it was important to remember that salvation was gained through Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross and that sin and death were removed from our shoulders because the doors of Heaven were opened.

We should think of the cross as the doors to paradise for a better and new world, he said, and this is confirmed in the victory of Jesus’ death on the cross and His Resurrection. He continued saying when we look at the cross, we celebrate the unconditional love of God. When in  crisis, looking at the cross will bring us both patience and peace.

The Holy Father, the Nuncio said, spoke of building bridges to reach the light, but we can also build bridges between Heaven and Earth, as we are all children of God and our home is Heaven.

Before the final blessing, Parish Priest Fr Antony Baskar Jayaseelan MSFS thanked the Nuncio for accepting his invitation and honoured him by bestowing a shawl upon him. Fr Antony also thanked Frs Cornelius Phillip, Trevor Nathasingh and Dwight Merrick who celebrated Mass and preached on the Exaltation of the Cross for the three nights, and all those who were instrumental in making this Feast Day a spirit-filled and special day.

Parishioners, visitors and well-wishers shared a sumptuous lunch and participated in the various activities, celebrating together as one family.

— Annette Lall Singh, parishioner