FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 29, 2018

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
516-238-7565
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org

 

HUNDREDS OF ITALIAN AMERICANS TO FILL THE STREETS OF BENSONHURST
TO MARK ONE OF CHRISTIANITY’S HOLIEST DAYS

On Friday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m., hundreds of Italian American Catholics will gather at St. Dominic Church, 2001 Bay Ridge Parkway, and begin a procession through the streets of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. The faithful, led by the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will carry crosses and statues, symbolizing Jesus’ walk to his Crucifixion. The procession is organized by the Italian Apostolate, and along the journey, participants will pray in Italian as they move through 14 stations. The walk will end at St. Athanasius Church, located at 2154 61st Street.

Participants in this procession are celebrating their faith as well as their Italian heritage. Bensonhurst, now a neighborhood in transition, was once an Italian enclave. In the 1960’s an influx of immigrants from southern Italy populated the area bringing this tradition from their homeland. In honor of their ancestors, Italian Americans from near and far gather here on Good Friday to keep the tradition alive.

In accordance with Brooklyn custom, families with ties to Mola di Bari, Italy enjoy the honor of carrying two statues–Our Lady of Sorrows and The Dead Christ. Other parishioners carry large crosses, while the remaining participants hold candles.

This is the 36th year that the parishes of St. Athanasius; St. Bernadette; St. Dominic; St. Finbar; St. Frances Cabrini; St. Mary, Mother of Jesus; Our Lady of Guadalupe; St. Rosalia-Regina Pacis; and Sts. Simon and Jude will join together for one unified event. All members of the public are invited to participate. All are asked to carry a candle.