Message From Kamla Persad-Bissessar On Corpus Christi 2025

Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, has released the following message on the occasion of Corpus Christi 2025 (Thursday 19th June, 2025), which also coincides with the occasion of Labour Day:

“My fellow citizens,

Today, we join our Christian community in reflecting on one of the most sacred and profound mysteries of the faith — the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This day reminds us that God is not distant, but with us, walking alongside us through every joy and trial.

Jesus said in John 6:51, ‘I am the living bread that came down from Heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.’ This declaration is a promise of eternal life, but also a call to live in the spirit of Christ daily — to serve with love, to act with compassion, and to be present for one another in times of need.

The celebration of Corpus Christi is not only a holy observance — it is a powerful reminder of our responsibility to reflect God’s grace in our own lives. The bread we receive in faith must become the kindness we give in action. And as the body of Christ is shared in Churches today, so too must we share love, mercy, and justice in the streets, homes, and institutions of our beautiful Trinidad and Tobago.

Let us remember the words of Galatians 6:2: ‘Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.’ That is our duty — not just as individuals, but as a nation. We must stand together in solidarity, helping those who struggle, listening to those who suffer, and protecting those who are defenceless.

I wish to also acknowledge and honour the important role the Church continues to play in our society, as a moral compass, a refuge in times of crisis, and a steady force for good. It is a place where values are taught, where families find strength, and where communities come together in faith and fellowship.

In this modern and often complex world, I encourage our religious bodies to continue evolving — not in message, but in method. I call on our Churches and faith-based organizations to chart new and innovative paths to reach out to our youth and the vulnerable. We must speak their language, understand their struggles, and walk beside them with patience and empathy. If we are to secure a future rooted in faith and dignity, we must ensure that no one — especially our young people — feels alienated from the message of love and purpose that the Church brings.

Let the seeds planted today be more than tradition. Let them be symbols of our intention to grow — in love, in unity, and in service. Let us plant seeds of peace in our homes, seeds of justice in our communities, and seeds of hope in every heart.

To our Christian community, I thank you for your spiritual leadership. And to all citizens, I invite you to reflect on the meaning of this day — to live with purpose, to give with humility, and to believe in the power of love to transform lives.

May the sacred spirit of Corpus Christi guide us toward a brighter tomorrow and may God continue to bless the blessed Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.”