Festival of Hope: A sign of renewal for the Jubilee

The Archdiocese of Port of Spain is preparing to close its Jubilee celebrations with the much-anticipated Festival of Hope, an initiative spearheaded by the Living Water Community. Co-foundress Rhonda Maingot describes it as both a celebration and a catechetical moment, drawing the faithful together to rediscover the Church as a beacon of hope in difficult times.

“We wanted to show the world and our people what the Church offers as hope,” Maingot explained. “Could you imagine a world without the Catholic Church? Could you imagine Trinidad and Tobago without it? The Festival of Hope will help people to understand who the Catholic Church is here in Trinidad and the hope that we offer.”

Procession and prayer

The event opens on Friday, October 10 with a grand procession from St Charles Borromeo RC Church, Tunapuna, along the main road and across the bus route, ending at the Centre of Excellence. The Blessed Sacrament will then be installed for a weekend of continuous Adoration.

“The idea was that we want to bring Jesus to the Centre of Excellence for the weekend,” Maingot said. “From that moment until the Festival closes, we will have round-the-clock prayer and Adoration.”

This visible witness of faith, she added, is itself a form of evangelisation: “When we make that journey, we are offering hope… People in the procession are conscious of that, too.”

Learning and celebration

Beyond prayer, the Festival promises a lively and educational atmosphere. From Saturday, visitors will encounter exhibitions, performances, food stalls, games, and activities tailored for all ages. “It’s a festival, so it’s a fun day,” Maingot affirmed. “You’ll be learning a lot about the Church, its ministries, and its mission of bringing hope. But you’ll also enjoy yourselves.”

Sunday brings the celebration to a close with music, jubilation, and the Archbishop’s blessing. “We always close off with a good party,” Maingot smiled, “celebrating the Jubilee Year with everyone together.”

Hope amid challenges

The interview also touched on the Church’s ongoing work with migrants and refugees, an area in which Living Water Community has played a pioneering role. Maingot acknowledged that the situation has become increasingly challenging following the closure of the UNHCR office in Trinidad, which has left new arrivals without any system of registration.

“It’s very difficult. People come to our doors all the time, and we can’t register them. There’s no way we can,” she said. “We try to help, and little groups and communities across Trinidad and Tobago try as well. But certainly, it has been affected greatly.”

The issue extends beyond Venezuelans: “We have migrants and refugees from 39 different countries in Trinidad,” she noted. Yet, in the absence of international structures, many face “terrible suffering” and even return home despite the hardships awaiting them there.

A call to be Hope

For Maingot, the Festival is not only a showcase of the Church’s mission but also a call to personal witness. “I want people to understand that you are hope. You bring hope. You walk in this nation as a Catholic, you live as a Catholic, you celebrate as a Catholic. You are bringing hope to this land,” she urged.

As the Jubilee Year draws to a close, the Festival of Hope offers the faithful a chance to gather, celebrate, and recommit to being living signs of hope in Trinidad and Tobago’s social, cultural, and spiritual landscape.

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