2024

After months of preparation and years of catechesis and prayer, people of faith came together for this massive diocesan celebration. We have a full slate of coverage detailing the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Eucharistic Revival.

For the thousands of individuals gathered at the Louis Armstrong Stadium, the journey to the Eucharistic Revival was a deeply enriching experience. Guiding one such journey was Bishop Robert Brennan, who led hundreds of pilgrims on a spiritual commute to Christ via the 7 line.

Once the nearly 7,000 faithful filed into the stadium, they were greeted with a special edition of The Tablet! Employees of the paper’s parent company, DeSales Media Group, handed out the exclusive pull-out that was only available in print at the stadium.

Bishop Brennan has been leading the Diocese of Brooklyn in this Eucharistic Revival, from the preparation to the pilgrimage to prayers. In his homily during the service, he taught the people of faith a lesson in getting closer to Christ.

Thousands Celebrate Diocese of Brooklyn Eucharistic Revival in Flushing

By Katie Vasquez

From the musical acts and performances to the singers to the 6,500 people sitting in the stands.

The colorful mosaic of the diocese of immigrants was represented from the top tier to the floor of Louis Armstrong Stadium.

The goal of the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Eucharistic Revival is to bring everyone together and help parishioners experience Christ’s true presence in the Eucharist.

“To get closer and just to be able to have that communion with everyone, in the same and get closer adoration, especially with the bishop. It’s very uplifting,” said Edith Areizaga, a St. Brendan Parish parishioner.

Brooklyn’s Vicar of Evangelization and Catechesis, Father Joseph Gibino, helped plan the event, and he says that idea was at the heart of the diocesan celebration.

“Whenever we gather together, as as Jesus said, two or more, there he is, and for us literally, today with the Eucharist as a moment as a moment for us to be touched by the Lord, but also when we receive the Eucharist, we are physically touched by Jesus, and we touch Jesus’ heart,” said Father Gibino.

Young people were also a big part of the program; the eucharistic revival began with high school students like Shaden De Leon praying the mysteries with the rosary.

“It’s at a time where I needed it because right now I’m so pushed to do a bunch of work at school that I thought like just taking a break to pray through the rosary with like a bunch of people would just be like so great,” said Shaden De Leon, a parishioner at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated mass in the stadium’s court. He addressed the young people in his homily, calling on them to develop a deeper relationship with Christ through the blessed sacrament.

“We begin by knowing and loving Jesus, and then we can believe in the presence of the blessed sacrament,” said Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Bishop Brennan also encouraged dozens of neophytes or those baptized at the Easter vigil who attended the mass. One of them, Melina Lopez from Blessed Sacrament Church in Jackson Heights, says being here helped to affirm her new faith.

“It’s something significant to me in my life, which makes me happy, and it makes me want to be closer to God,” said Lopez.

The day centered on Christ, and ended with Christ.

Bishop Brennan processes with the Eucharist around the stadium.

Once again, reminding Catholics of a core tenet of their faith, that the Eucharist becomes the actual body of Jesus during the mass.

As Bishop Brennan walks with Christ through the crowds, he says he can feel their faith grow.

“The Holy Spirit brought us together today, and it was just beautiful beyond words, just to see the faith and devotion of so many people who are really alive, alive with love, live with devotion,” said Bishop Brennan.

Pilgrims Join Bishop Robert Brennan on Subway Pilgrimage to Diocese of Brooklyn Eucharistic Revival

By Jessica Easthope

Early Saturday morning, it was raining cats and dogs, but that wasn’t stopping anyone, including Bishop Robert Brennan, from riding the rails to the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Eucharistic Revival.

“I’m Looking forward to meeting all of our people; some of them are walking in from different directions,” said Bishop Brennan.” We’re going to be coming from all over today.”

The NYPD’s Transit Bureau and MTA officials pulled out all the stops so the bishop could fulfill a promise of his priesthood – meeting people where they are.

“That’s what we’re about; that’s what the Lord himself did, right? I want us to be renewed in our union with each other as a family of God and feeling rejuvenated in our faith, in our belief in Jesus present among us, in the Eucharist,” he said.

The bishop hopped on the 7 train at Court Square in Long Island City, and right there with him were several groups of primarily Spanish-speaking pilgrims. One of them, Patricio Balencia, a parishioner at St. Bartholomew’s in Elmhurst, says representation at the Eucharistic Revival makes him proud to be a Catholic.

“Thank you, Bishop, and thank you to the Diocese because they’re trying to unite all the communities and all the cultures, and that’s good for us, for everybody,” Patricio said.

The pilgrimage was one of two happening on Saturday. As one group filled the subway with songs of Christ’s love, other groups walked to Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Spiritual Commute: Riding the 7 Train With Bishop Brennan to the Eucharistic Revival

Santa Salomon, a parishioner at St. Joseph Patron of the Universal Church in Bushwick, couldn’t stop smiling, knowing a day of joy and worship awaited her at the end of the line. The truth of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist is hers to live out.

“We have to believe it; it is real. And just being part of this just makes everything more, more real and true to me,” she said.

Once the train arrived, Bishop Brennan led the crowd toward their final stop, merging with the groups of pilgrims who walked from their parishes. Then, he greeted all those in line as they waited anxiously to enter the Eucharistic Revival.

Their pilgrimage was complete.

“And yet a new day begins,” Bishop Brennan said as he entered the Eucharistic Revival. “We start our celebration.”

Preview Special: Diocese of Brooklyn’s Eucharistic Revival

It’s been months in the making and years of spiritual preparation from the faithful, but the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Eucharistic Revival is upon us. Learn more about everything you can expect during this special day of celebration.

The diocese is organizing two pilgrimages. One will involve parishioners from Corona and Flushing walking to the stadium, and the other will involve the faithful joining Bishop Robert Brennan on the Seven Train.

Upon arrival, the Diocese of Immigrants will unite in prayer. These prayers, filled with the devotion of the faithful, will transcend language barriers. Participants can even use an app to translate the prayers into their native language, ensuring everyone feels included in this powerful moment of unity.

The day of praise and worship will also include spectacular entertainment, including a special choir that will lead the faithful in song.

Shepherd of the Diocese of Brooklyn to Lead Thousands in Prayer at Eucharistic Revival

Thousands of faithful are expected to converge on Flushing Meadows Park on Saturday, Apr. 20, including Bishop Robert Brennan, who will lead the prayers at the diocese’s Eucharistic Revival.

Bishop Brennan joined Currents News to discuss the importance of the pilgrimage and the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Eucharistic Revival.

It’s not too late to still get tickets just contact your local parish.

You can also email [email protected], or call 718-965-7313.

If you can’t go, you can also watch the Mass with Bishop Brennan at the Eucharistic Revival live right on NET TV, just tune in at 9:45 in the morning.

Shepherd of the Diocese of Brooklyn to Lead Thousands in Prayer at Eucharistic Revival

By Jessica Easthope

The faithful of Brooklyn and Queens are invited to play their part at the Diocese of Brooklyn Eucharistic Revival.

Pilgrims, united in their belief in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, will converge from every corner of the diocese. They will journey together, on the subway and on the streets, to the Louis Armstrong Stadium in Flushing Meadows Park on Saturday, Apr. 20, for an unprecedented event.

With hearts brimming with anticipation, parishioners and faith leaders have been eagerly awaiting this momentous day.

“It is really all about the joy of the risen Christ,” said Father Joseph Gibino, Vicar for Evangelization and Catechesis for the diocese. “We should be proclaiming to the world that we are a people blessed and graced.”

Father Gibino said the sights and sounds of praise will stimulate pilgrims’ senses upon arrival.

“As they get to the park, it’s going to be utter chaos as they arrive; it will truly be Pentecost,” Father Gibino said. “Then they’re going to come into the stadium, and it will be bright and bold; it will be Easter.”

Queens Faithful Credit Christ’s Body with Personal Blessings after Visiting Woodside Adoration Chapel

By Jessica Easthope

Victoria Chacho has newfound peace, it came after years of struggle and sadness.

“My husband was an alcoholic during our whole marriage. We started living separately for a couple of years, but I came because I wanted to put my marriage in Christ’s hands,” she said through her 21-year-old son Mike who was translating from Spanish.

Her marriage was on the brink of broken, but the time she spent at the St. Philomena adoration chapel at Corpus Christi Church in Woodside, Queens brought it back.

“I showed people that you can persevere even through the darkest times. By February, my husband looked at me and decided to make a change now he doesn’t drink anymore. He completely cut out alcohol and we are happily together ever since,” she said.

The people on the pages of the chapel’s sign-in book come day and night to be in front of the blessed sacrament. Monsignor Jonas Achacoso, pastor of Corpus Christi has heard of many personal miracles over the 15 years since the chapel opened. The national eucharistic revival has drawn more people in.

“With the convocation of the National Eucharistic Revival, yes, we have seen we have seen more people coming it’s with the same fervor, but a lot more people,” he said.

People come and go but the chapel is never empty.

“Pre-pandemic it was the only adoration chapel in Queens, and people are coming 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said.

It has guardians, people who are assigned times to be in adoration. It’s a job Anna Morales takes very seriously.

“You say your problems to him. I feel like he’s my friend because he listens to me. I never leave alone God, so I have to be sure the next adoration people come before I leave,” she said.

Anna has been coming to the chapel for 14 years, she started when her four-year-old daughter, Elizabeth was diagnosed with epilepsy. She says the blessed sacrament is to thank, Elizabeth is now a healthy 18-year-old who needs no medication.

And most recently, Anna’s niece, who was pregnant with twins, lost one baby in utero. Her doctors pressured her to abort the second, saying she would die soon after birth. Anna once again turned to the eucharist, her grandniece, Mia is now four months old and thriving.

“I come into here the adoration chapel and pray to God and I say you are the God of life please take care my niece and the baby so thank God the baby’s born okay. And they say she has only 10 percent of having a good life, but the baby don’t have any problem,” said Anna.

Monsignor Jonas can only explain what happens here, with a quote by Blessed Carlo Acutis.

“He said if you expose yourself to the sun you get tanned but if you expose yourself to the source of holiness to the real presence of our Lord, you become holy,” he said.

Adorers say all who doubt his presence should come and see for themselves, the chapel is open 24-7.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 4/18/2024

All of the planning and coordination are about to pay off. The Diocese of Brooklyn’s Eucharistic Revival will be held on April 20 at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Free tickets are still available.

Anticipate the convergence of thousands of faithful at Queens Park, eager to be part of this spiritual gathering. Among them will be the esteemed Bishop Robert Brennan, who will lead the prayers at the Diocese’s Eucharistic Revival.

Representatives from The Tablet newspaper will cover the event and distribute special newspapers to attendees. Be sure to grab a copy to follow along and learn more about the Diocese’s Eucharistic Revival.

The Tablet is also celebrating some very talented artists in our Catholic schools; this week’s paper features the winners of The Tablet’s Easter Art Contest. Check out some of the fantastic artwork.

Praying Before the Blessed Sacrament Led Priest to Vocation, Answering God’s Call

A priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn believes that praying before the Body of Christ led him to the priesthood.

Father James Rodriguez, pastor of Saint Rose of Lima Church in Rockaway Beach, remembers when he answered God’s call.

He started praying quietly before the Blessed Sacrament 25 years ago, asking the Lord for help determining his vocation.

Then, in a moment of divine intervention, a random older woman, also immersed in prayer, turned to him and uttered the unexpected words, ‘You should become a priest.’

Father Rodriguez initially shrugged it off until he realized it was the answer he’d been waiting for.

Now, as a pastor, Father Rodriguez encourages other Catholics to spend time in a chapel or church, praying before the Body of Christ, just like he did.

Cardinal Dolan: Families of Israeli Hostages “Will Not Give Up On Peace”

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan said in his latest post online that he met with the families of Israeli hostages during his mission trip to the Holy Land.

Cardinal Dolan is visiting the Holy Land as chair of the Papal agency, the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, or CNEWA.

He’s also visiting different religious representatives and checking on current humanitarian efforts.