A festival to live, welcome, share Hope

Q: Archbishop J, what Is a Festival of Hope?  

This is a Jubilee Year with the theme Pilgrims of Hope. We launched the Jubilee in December 2024, and throughout the year, we have seen pilgrims visiting the special Jubilee churches across Trinidad and Tobago.

It has been a very different year for us; parishes, families, and friends have all been journeying together. In this movement, we found new companions and many graces.

The theme Pilgrims of Hope stretches our imagination. A pilgrim journeys toward a sacred place, conscious of God and seeking to grow closer to Him. As pilgrims of hope, we have learnt that hope is a theological virtue: it moves the disciple to desire God and the things of God, relying on God and God alone.

This year, we have come to realise the importance of a shift in focus if we are to grow in holiness and deepen our discipleship. We have witnessed upheaval in our world—wars that threaten peace, political instability in powerful nations, and economic pressures that touch us all.

In the Caribbean, we are realising that we must work together to secure food, water, and our economies. The larger nations will no longer carry our development goals. The world is in great need of hope.

Remember, hope is not the same as optimism—an unfounded belief that things will get better. Hope is trust in the God whose promises are sure. It is from this heartbeat of hope that the Festival of Hope was born.

‘Hope in Christ’ is not a slogan but the pulse of Christian life. That is what we celebrate this weekend; it is why we gather with our families and parish communities. We are a people of hope.

The vision behind the Festival of Hope

This Jubilee Year, Fr Martin Sirju and Rhonda Maingot have led the Jubilee Committee with a dream to unite the Archdiocese in two major events: the Eucharistic Congress, which we experienced as a great grace, and now the Festival of Hope, conceived to bring all ministries together in one living witness.

The Festival’s goals are to deepen faith, strengthen community, inspire renewed service, and foster joyful participation. These four goals are the heart of discipleship and the growth we all need.

The Festival is a series of interactive experiences designed for everyone, from children to seniors. It will hold before God’s people the illuminated life of the Church—a living beacon of hope. Here we will experience all things Catholic in an engaging way. You have to come and see the joy and passion of its creators meeting participants in excellent synergy, as life unfolds in three great halls—three movements of grace.

The living Church—we are the Body of Christ

In the Bougainvillaea Hall, we are invited to celebrate the living Church in action. There, we will see the history of the Church in Port of Spain from its earliest days to the present. The sacraments, clergy, Religious, and lay communities will be displayed together—a gallery of faith and service to the nation, a living museum of love.

You will encounter the pastoral, social, and educational ministries through their displays and see how the Church has served the people of Trinidad and Tobago in forming hearts, families, and the nation itself.

You will also experience a taste of fellowship and joy. The food court offers a space for family and friends to sit, share, and be nourished in body and spirit. The Jubilee Boat will help you capture the moment, take your photos and celebrate memories that last. But the Church’s life does not stop at display—it dances, sings, and communicates hope.

Youth, creativity, and the joy of faith

Some say the youth are our future. We say they are our present reality—our energy and idealism transforming the world according to God’s values.

In the Hibiscus Hall, our young people will be on fire for Christ. They will host interactive experiences for all ages. Our communications arm—The Catholic News, Trinity TV, and SIGNIS Caribbean—will showcase how technology and creativity help us share, live, and celebrate our faith.

The Marketplace will offer Jubilee souvenirs, devotional items, and handmade gifts—perhaps even an early start to your Christmas shopping! On the stage, entertainment, music, testimonies, and sacred dance will fill the weekend with life.

Here, the Church’s joy becomes contagious: faith speaks in laughter, rhythm, and community. And yet, amid the music and colour, another invitation awaits—a quieter one.

The heart of the Festival—prayer, Adoration, and the Labyrinth

The Torencia Hall is the spiritual heart of the Festival. It is a quiet zone for Eucharistic Adoration where you can bring everything to Jesus who waits for you. Priests will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which opens the door to grace. Flowing from this sacrament will be spaces for healing and prayer. In this inner sanctuary, the needs of your soul will be tended, and renewal will be yours.

We are pilgrims of hope. At the heart of the Festival stands a Labyrinth—a mini-pilgrimage, a walk inward to meet Christ at the centre of your soul.

This ancient practice, used by Christians for centuries, invites deep reflection and healing. As you walk, all that you have experienced in the Festival moves within, nurturing your spirit.

The Festival itself becomes a map of our inner journey—from noise to silence, from seeing to believing, from celebration to contemplation. Remember to get your Jubilee passports stamped.

Living, sharing, and welcoming Hope

The daily rhythm of the Festival carries its own symbolism:

• Friday – Welcoming Hope: Eucharistic procession, opening reflection, Adoration.
• Saturday – Living Hope: Full celebration with booths, youth energy, and family fun.
• Sunday – Sharing Hope: Testimonies, closing procession, joyful sending forth.

Each day will offer its own unique grace for you and your family. Hope is welcomed, lived, and shared—a Trinitarian pattern woven through the weekend, moving from Father to Son to Spirit, from reception to mission.

The Festival continues on Monday and Tuesday with special School Days: Catholic primary schools on Monday and secondary schools on Tuesday. In this way, we pass hope to the next generation. But the Festival is not an end—it is a beginning.

Why hope matters now—an invitation to all

In recent years, we have faced many challenges. The pandemic brought deep uncertainty and social fragmentation. Many in our nation have lost hope through economic hardship and job loss.

It is into this national and global context that we now celebrate hope. Hope must become our culture; Our way of life.

As the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf” (Heb 6:19-20).

For this Festival to emerge so beautifully, many people had to work together and listen deeply to one another. In this sense, the Festival itself is a synodal act of communion and a school of discipleship.

Let us live, celebrate, and share our hope. Come, spend a moment with the Lord of Hope. Walk the labyrinth. Sing, pray, rejoice. Let Christ renew your heart.

“If only you knew what God was offering you” (Jn 4:10).

Key Message:

In a world starved for certainty, the Festival of Hope invites us to encounter Christ—the anchor of our souls—and to become bearers of His hope to others.

Action Step:

Participate in the Festival of Hope and invite your friends and family to attend. We kindly ask that everyone bring non-perishable items for the poor. Receptacles will be provided at the Festival.

Scripture for Reflection:

Hebrews 6:16-19