On Sunday, May 6, the much-anticipated National Motorcade with the statue of Our Lady, La Divina Pastora, took place. We set off at 6.30 a.m., after a special 5.30 a.m. Mass with Fr Curtis Moise, OP as celebrant.

As we made our way around Trinidad, we were welcomed by many people, some of whom came to the roadsides in their areas especially to await the passage of the image of Our Lady, making the sign of the cross, holding their rosaries aloft, placing bouquets at the feet of the statue, or strewing petals in its path. It is evident that people long for this type of blessing, and to demonstrate their faith and devotion publicly.

The statue of La Divina Pastora in the streets of Couva. Photo courtesy Roger Sant.

At the scheduled stops at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Curepe, and at Holy Faith Convent in Couva, people had gathered to await the arrival of the image of Our Lady, surging toward her and praying the Rosary and other Marian prayers at her feet.

At St Finbar's in Diego Martin where there was a brief, unscheduled stop, there was also a gathering, doing the same.

We thank all for the welcome shown both to Our Lady and to us the pilgrims, with special thanks to Fr Esau Joseph and the people of Curepe, and the Holy Faith Sisters and the faithful at Couva.

There were some anxious moments when the beloved image of Our Lady slipped off the top of the car at the Tarouba Intersection in San Fernando on the return leg of the journey.

However, thanks be to God, the statue was not damaged, and we were able to complete our pilgrimage. The people of Los Bajos gave a very warm and enthusiastic welcome to the motorcade, and we thank them sincerely.

The Parish of La Divina Pastora would like to thank the organising committee for an experience such as this that comes to most of us just once in a lifetime.

We would also like to thank those people from other parishes, South Oropouche, Penal, Pointe-à-Pierre, San Juan, Manzanilla, Toco, and others, who joined us on this pilgrimage, whether individually or in groups. We thank all those who attended, and those who supported in any way.

Special thanks to Fr Curtis, for coming down to celebrate Mass with us, at short notice, and to Trinity Communications Network for all their support and encouragement. We also want to thank the members of our police escort that day.

They cleared the way for us, and protected us gallantly, going beyond the call of duty. Police Corporals Roger Worrell and Barry Herbert, and Police Constables Gajadhar, Cyril Laing and Karl Taylor, we salute you all, and thank you for your service on that great day.

May God bless, and Mary keep all who were associated with this motorcade.