Bensonhurst’s Good Friday Procession and Prayer Service
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Statue of the Dead Christ outside Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
Photos by New York Scugnizzo |
Despite the threat of rain, some 1,500 mostly Italian American Catholics came out in force in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, Friday evening for the annual Good Friday procession and prayer service. Led by the Most Reverend Bishop Raymond Chappetto, parishioners from Saint Athanasius, Saint Dominic, Regina Pacis, Saints Simon and Jude, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Finbar, Saint Mary Mother of Jesus, Saint Bernadette and Saint Frances Cabrini took part in this solemn tradition. They were joined by members of the Italian-American Apostolate, the Knights of Columbus, Gruppo Italiano Sant'Atanasio (G.I.S.A.), the St. Rocco Society of Potenza, and the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria SS. Addolorata, among others.
Rotating between the churches, this year Our Lady of Guadalupe (1514 72nd St.) had the honor of hosting the Benediction and prayer service. Bishop Chappetto concluded the outdoor ceremony in English and Italian with a blessing with the Relic of the True Cross.
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The Most Reverend Bishop Raymond Chappetto
and clergy led the participants in prayer |
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| The Knights of Columbus served as Honor Guard |
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| The Red Mike Festival Band |
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| Devotees carry the statue of the Dead Christ through the neighborhood |
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| Members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church |
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| Members of the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria SS. Addolorata |
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| Members of the Holy Name Society of Saint Bernadette |
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Members of the Holy Name Society and the Saint
Rocco Society of Potenza sang hymns and prayed in Italian |
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| Members of Santa Rosalia Regina Pacis |
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| Members of St. Dominic's Church |
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| The faithful from St. Dominic's re-enact the Way of the Cross |
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| Members of St. Finbar Church |
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| Members of the Italian-American Apostolate of St. Mary, Mother of Jesus |
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| Members of the St. Frances Cabrini Society of Brooklyn |
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| Members of Gruppo Italiano Sant'Atanasio (G.I.S.A.) |
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Thousands gather in the rain outside
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church for the benediction |
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| (Above & below) The prayer service was held in English and Italian |
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| Bishop Chappetto addresses the crowd in Italian |
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| Fr. Alessandro offers prayer in Italian |
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The prayer service concluded with
blessing with the Relic of the True Cross |
