By Katie Vasquez
At the start of one of the most important liturgies of the Catholic church, a fire is blessed,the flame is used to light the paschal candle
And then light dozens of individual candles, illuminating the Co-cathedral of St. Joseph with candlelight.
Bishop Robert Brennan says this symbolic start to the Easter vigil is meant to show us how Christ guides us.
“While we’ve experienced a lot of darkness in the world, we also experience a certain amount of darkness in our lives right don’t we? and things that weigh us down. and when we’re pulled down, it’s Christ who lifts us up. He brings light to the darkness,” said Bishop Brennan.
Bishop Brennan leads the people’s prayers in darkness during this mass, as they mourn the death of Christ, until the lights come back on, signaling Jesus’ resurrection.
Rector of the Co-Cathedral, Father Christopher Heanue says it’s the culmination of everything Catholics have been waiting for.
“It’s just we call it the mother of all liturgies. It’s what we call it, the mother of all. because it is just, it compiles everything. And when done right, it’s beautiful,” said Father Heanue.
For hundreds around the diocese of brooklyn, this mass is also the culmination of their journey of faith.
Bishop Brennan baptizes four of the more than four hundred new Catholics joining the church at the Easter vigil, including Holly Turner who was seeking a clean slate.
“I actually grew up in a Baptist church, but my mother is a Catholic and my father is Baptist. And coming to this church, I felt like it was beautiful and I just loved how sacred everything was and I was really drawn to this church. and I wanted to be baptized. To start over,” said Turner who was baptized at the vigil.
The mass was also a chance for some to finish receiving their sacraments like Jorge Deroche who grew up Catholic, but was confirmed at the vigil.
“I feel like everything’s finally coming to completion. everything we’ve been working for,” said Deroche.
Bishop Brennan and Father Heanue say this group now fully formed in the faith is a reminder of how fortunate we are as catholics.
“They’re coming with a longing for peace. They’re coming for our longing for, for Jesus’ love,” said Father Heanue.
“That sense of baptism renews the gift of faith that inspires us. that people have made the conscious choice to embrace the faith, and that makes us stop and think. and that’s always a source of great excitement around Easter time,” said Bishop Brennan.