DEAR EDITOR: In response to the letter written by C Fergusson in the Catholic News of April 15, I want to clear the air on what takes place at La Divina Pastora Church, Siparia, on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, each year.

There is a custom in which people of many faiths visit this church on a daily basis, to pray for the intercession of Our Lady, La Divina Pastora. The largest number of non-Catholics who do so are Hindus.

This is a long-standing tradition, dating back to at least the 1860s. Fr Cornelius O'Hanlon, writing in the parish records in 1872, described the visits of the Hindus (and of people of other faiths). The Hindus refer to the statue as that of 'Soparee Mai', that is, the mother of Siparia.

In order to express their thanks for favours received, the Hindus return in their numbers on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. This custom is as old as their coming to pray for their needs.

They chose that particular time to come to give thanks, because during the time of Indenture it was the most convenient time for them to come in large numbers, since it was the longest weekend of the year.

This gave them ample time to journey from estates as far away as Diego Martin, among others, and return in time for work on Easter Tuesday. In the old days, many of the Hindus made the journey on foot, in keeping with the Hindu understanding of pilgrimage.

The statue of La Divina Pastora is removed from the church on Holy Thursday morning, and placed in the Parish Hall. (In the old days, it was placed in the Boys' school yard). This is where the Hindus visit for their celebration of Soparee Mai Ki Mela.

All Masses and services, in keeping with the observance of the Easter Triduum are conducted, with the appropriate solemnity, in the church, and these are well attended. There is no mixing of Catholic and Hindu rites.

The parish priest and parishioners of La Divina Pastora Church do all in their power to welcome and accommodate our Hindu brothers and sisters.

We do the same for the hundreds of destitute people, among whom are several families, who congregate on the church grounds and environs at this time also.

We know, from the teaching of the Church, that just as God is the Father of all, so Our Lady is the Mother of all. The statue of Our Lady is returned to the church on Good Friday afternoon.

We, the Catholics of Siparia, as all Catholics, venerate Our Lady. We do this joyfully, because we understand that she is the Mother of God, of the Church, and of us all.

We welcome all who would venerate her, even if they do not fully understand who she is. We do not regard her as a goddess, neither do we worship statues. We worship our Triune God only. I do hope that this clears this issue.
Theresa Noel, parishioner, Siparia 

DEAR EDITOR: Let's hope that people haven’t lost the zeal to reflect on or to pledge to be more alert to the spirituality of each day, after Lent. And just in case, many of us jump right back on the soca train without looking left or right.

 I’d like to remind all socialites to do just what Mr Machel says “settle down and hold a meditation.” In this case, however, about the growing trend of using words that tip toe around the spiritual realm and all that it stands for, both in the soca music and in the promotion of it.

I must wonder if our people just aren’t appalled by the words being used in today’s soca, if they are simply blind to the effects that it will have down the road, or if they just don’t care.

When I hear words like “resurrect”, “wine for redemption”, “I am Dr Evil”, “out of body, back to yuhself now” and “open the book of angels”, in music and music promotion and even the phrase “soca diva” to describe an artiste, I wonder if our people understand what they are so readily tolerating.

Now, funny enough, when you raise this topic with fans of the particular singers, denial is their best excuse. I spoke to a fan who snapped to the singer’s defense saying, “It’s spelt ‘Rezzarek’ and he is resurrecting the old music!”

As if I was to be impressed by the supposedly ingenious use of dialect. For me, it showed limited vocabulary and creativity in choosing a theme. What was wrong with “Rejuvenation”, “Renaissance”, or “Reawakening”?

Or was this word purposely supposed to be an explicitly spiritual reference? And moreover, what would be the ultimate effect? Not to slowly but surely desensitise people and create some shades of gray between what is spiritual and what is not?

Now let’s look at “wine for redemption”. Is that where we’ve reached? The idea of balancing work and play is subtly being thrown out the window.

No longer are we supposed to be happy with the idea of working with purpose and devotion.

Instead, we should see our lives as frustrating and use “play” to get as much deliverance as possible from it. And I am supposed to be duped into accepting this as a good thing!

But the fact that the lyrics “I am Dr Evil” shocks no one, really scares me. One man even said to me “Well that’s only one line in the song!” So people! Even the naked truth doesn’t bother Trinis of today!

And while it has been accepted that the word “diva” refers to a great female singer, we cannot deny that it also means “goddess” in Latin.

Now, why should I elevate any human being to the status of a “god” of anything!

Is the title “soca artiste” too humble? But I guess they must pump themselves up with egotistical flattery if there is little lyrical mastery to praise them for.

In fact, fans are more interested in seeing them pimp themselves and “wine it” according to Dr Evil.

I am truly saddened that our carnival season has become a time when so many of us are only too willing to let vice come “out of body”, holding on to little more than a thread of virtue, all in the name of complete abandon.

Then “back to yuhself” come Ash Wednesday morning as if nothing happened over the previous two days or two months.

Think about it, Trinidad. Carnival time or not, are we really ready for, or even recognise where we are heading?  Easter is here and many have just gone back to some of the most damaging soca music.

I just have to wonder then, when will all of our artistes ever truly care about the power of words and rise to the challenge of using 100% positive lyrics, 100% of the time?
L Phleary, Marabella