It was a big weekend for practicing Brooklyn Catholics, who celebrated Easter with events around the borough.
On April 15, Good Friday, Brooklyn’s own Monsignor David Cassato lead a Way of the Cross procession in Bensonhurst. Across the borough, Brooklyn’s newest bishop, Robert Brennan, lead his first Easter vigil the very next night.
The Bensonhurst Way of the Cross, a tradition that stretches back for more than 30 years, began at St. Dominic’s Church and continued to Regina Pacis.
This year’s Good Friday procession was the first of its kind since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and brought together thousands of Catholics who celebrated the death and sacrifice of Jesus Christ by playing music, carrying crosses and images of Jesus, and walking in fellowship.
Parishioners and church members from at least eight churches around Brooklyn attended.
On Saturday night, Reverend Robert Brennan had the opportunity to lead his first Easter vigil as Bishop of Brooklyn.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection with the lighting of the Paschal candle and with communal worship.
“We are announcing the greatest news of all time. Jesus Christ is risen,” said the bishop.
“We come because we need to be reminded every once in a while, and we go forth from here ready to announce, to bring the news to the world by the way we live our lives with joy, with hope and with confidence, because Jesus is Risen, because our lives have meaning and direction, because we are meant to live forever.”
Bishop Brennan baptized five new members into the church and confirmed six more during Saturday night’s vigil.
