The Way of the Cross — Solemn Candlelight Good Friday Procession in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

Quiet reflection at the Shrine Church of
St. Bernadette in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn

O Maria, Mamma nosta,
Tutt’ n’nera, d''a cap’ a pied’.
“O Gesu’, Signore mio,
Che T’hanno fatto?” tu chied.’

O Maria, Mamma nosta,
Guard’ 'a spada, dint''o cor’!
Che miseria, t’he sentuto!

Figlio tujo, ndulor’! ~ excerpt from Mamma Nosta

Led by retired Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, some 1,500 priests, deacons and parishioners from Saint Athanasius, Saint Dominic's, the Basilica of Regina Pacis, Saints Simon & Jude-Most Precious Blood, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Finbar, Saint Mary Mother of Jesus, Saint Bernadette, and Saint Frances Cabrini participated in this year's Good Friday Via Crucis procession and prayer service from Edward B. Shallow JHS to St. Dominic's Church in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

(L) The sanctuary at St. Bernadette Church.
(R) The Madonna Addolorata outside Shallow JHS

Statue of the Dead Christ outside Shallow JHS

(Above & below) Devotees carry the statue of the
Dead Christ through the neighborhood

Our pal Angelo of the Figli di Santa Rosalia helped carry the Dead Christ

Participants carrying crosses and candles pray and sing along the way

Hymnal with our friend's new Neapolitan song, "Mamma Nosta"

Members of the Holy Name Society of St. Bernadette 

Members of Gruppo Italiano Sant'Atanasio (G.I.S.A.)

Members of the Italian-American Apostolate of St. Mary,
Mother of Jesus, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

Members of the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria SS. Addolorata

Children carry a large white rose Rosary

The procession concluded outside St. Dominic's Church
for the Italian prayer service and Benediction

Friends generously gifted me a blessed St. Charbel
medal and St. Cornelius pocket shrine