Bishop Brennan Declared "Christ is Risen" During the Easter Vigil in Brooklyn

Bishop Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, celebrated Easter, the holiest day on the Christian calendar, with an Easter Vigil Mass Saturday evening, March 30, 2024, at The Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.

Easter celebrates Jesus Christ's resurrection from death, as he was crucified for the sins of the world. The Easter Vigil begins in the dark outside the Church. That is where the Paschal candle is lit, and that light is shared with all worshippers inside the church. The dramatic lighting of the church symbolizes the Risen Lord.

“We see the reality of sin and death all around us. This morning, I was at a funeral for the police officer who was shot and killed in Queens, an act of terrible, terrible violence. And yet we don't sing Alleluia tonight because we're making believe that all is well in the world. We are singing Alleluia tonight because everything is not going well. But Christ has conquered it because we know that all is not well in our lives and that we need His help. And he gives us that help, and we can believe, with all our hearts, that yes, indeed, in the waters of baptism we plunge with him into his death, and in the living of ordinary life, we experience sorrow and pain and even our failings and sins. But, too, we rise with him to live forever. We were made for his glory,” said Bishop Brennan in his homily.

Bishop Brennan baptized four people at the Mass, among more than 400 new Catholics baptized at Easter Vigil Masses throughout the diocese.

Later today, Sunday, March 31, 2024, Bishop Brennan will celebrate Easter Sunday Mass at 11:00 A.M. at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James located at 250 Cathedral Place in downtown Brooklyn.