Dear fellow citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
Again I am grateful to be able to share some thoughts with you especially during this Holy Week, which, for many faithful citizens, is a particularly special spiritual time.
Again I am grateful to be able to share some thoughts with you especially during this Holy Week, which, for many faithful citizens, is a particularly special spiritual time.
Indeed, this year will be the first time that four observances will be celebrated on the same weekend. These being: Spiritual Baptist Liberation Day, Phagwa – also known as Holi – the Jewish Passover, celebrated by a very small community, and Easter, a major observance for Christians.
Although these religious festivals are celebrated internationally, I am of the opinion that Trinidad and Tobago has been especially blessed to be the repository of such a confluence of auspicious spiritual blessings – a gift of which we must all, as citizens, be mindful. It is a lesson that we must recognize and appreciate; that we should respect and love each other, albeit acknowledging that we can be different but united in diversity.
These various observances share common denominations. They are, undoubtedly, proponents of two special graces: Joy and Peace. If we are, individually and collectively, to understand and internalize the true meaning of those gifts, we are obliged to examine our consciences and in so doing, seek truth and beauty in all things; and affirming simply, and with humility, to no longer allow negatives from the past and present, to influence our thoughts and our lives, and reduce or compromise our inner sense of peace and well-being.
This calls for courage and faith. Faith in a higher power to love, guide, and protect us all so that we may stand in truth and light and be our best selves for community and country.
Let us, in our valiant efforts to improve our lot in life for the national interest, let go of all bitterness, anger, resentment, and regret and concentrate on the positives in every endeavour.
Let us willingly eschew the painful past and claim an inheritance of love and prosperity that will redound to the benefit of our young people and our children’s children.
My dear citizens, this is the season of renewed faith and joyful hope.
Although these religious festivals are celebrated internationally, I am of the opinion that Trinidad and Tobago has been especially blessed to be the repository of such a confluence of auspicious spiritual blessings – a gift of which we must all, as citizens, be mindful. It is a lesson that we must recognize and appreciate; that we should respect and love each other, albeit acknowledging that we can be different but united in diversity.
These various observances share common denominations. They are, undoubtedly, proponents of two special graces: Joy and Peace. If we are, individually and collectively, to understand and internalize the true meaning of those gifts, we are obliged to examine our consciences and in so doing, seek truth and beauty in all things; and affirming simply, and with humility, to no longer allow negatives from the past and present, to influence our thoughts and our lives, and reduce or compromise our inner sense of peace and well-being.
This calls for courage and faith. Faith in a higher power to love, guide, and protect us all so that we may stand in truth and light and be our best selves for community and country.
Let us, in our valiant efforts to improve our lot in life for the national interest, let go of all bitterness, anger, resentment, and regret and concentrate on the positives in every endeavour.
Let us willingly eschew the painful past and claim an inheritance of love and prosperity that will redound to the benefit of our young people and our children’s children.
My dear citizens, this is the season of renewed faith and joyful hope.
Easter is the sacred celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. It is the oldest and holiest Christian festival; the climax and centre of the Liturgical Year, and the holy day to which all other holy days point. Let us commemorate it with tremendous gratitude and thanksgiving.
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| Click here to read about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ |
Let us love our neighbour as ourselves. Of all the earthly music which reaches farthest into heaven, is the beating of a truly loving heart.
Blessed Pope John Paul II, when departing these shores on the 5th February 1985 following a short visit here said, and I quote: “Do not be afraid, do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people, and hallelujah is our song.”
As we congregate across our blessed nation to celebrate and observe, with reverence, the various spiritual and religious festivals that define the rainbow character of Trinidad and Tobago, I am pleased to convey on behalf of myself, my family, and the Government, my sincerest best wishes to the national community for peace, love, joy, and prosperity now and in the future.
May God, the father of all creation bless and keep us and May God Bless our Nation.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar, S.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Blessed Pope John Paul II, when departing these shores on the 5th February 1985 following a short visit here said, and I quote: “Do not be afraid, do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people, and hallelujah is our song.”
As we congregate across our blessed nation to celebrate and observe, with reverence, the various spiritual and religious festivals that define the rainbow character of Trinidad and Tobago, I am pleased to convey on behalf of myself, my family, and the Government, my sincerest best wishes to the national community for peace, love, joy, and prosperity now and in the future.
May God, the father of all creation bless and keep us and May God Bless our Nation.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar, S.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
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