📍 The festival is celebrated in Christian churches the cities of Port of Spain and San Fernando and other parishes across the country. The largest procession is hosted at the Roman Catholic Cathedral on Independence Square in Port of Spain.
Description
Corpus Christi (Body of Christ) is a Christian feast that observes the Holy Eucharist. The feast is mainly celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church with services that commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ with Mass or Communion. Christians partake in the representation of Christ’s body and blood. In addition, there is also traditionala traditional blessing of the land, symbolising gratitude and faith. Visitors to the Destination can, among other activities, observe planting ceremonies that mark this day, reflecting a connection between spirituality and agriculture in Trinidad and Tobago’s heritage.
Brief History
The feast of Corpus Christi is believed to have originated with St. Juliana, a nun of Liege, Belgium, who was led to start a celebration of the Mass around 1230 AD. From a young age, St. Juliana developed a strong devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and desired a feast in honour of the Eucharist. In 1264 AD, Pope Urban IV ordered universal observance of Corpus Christi and by the 14th century, the feast became universally celebrated in the West.
Points of Interest
Roman Catholics attend church services on Corpus Christi morning prior to participating in community processions. Corpus Christi is the feast day celebrating the Institution of the Mass. Planters consider the day to be good for sowing, as it is believed that these plants will grow well.
