The Tablet Staff

Tonight at 5 pm, parishioners of the Brooklyn Diocese will gather at Grand Army Plaza to usher in the Advent season and remember the world’s persecuted faithful with the lighting of the diocesan Christmas tree.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will bless a life-sized nativity crèche and tree in front of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, which this year is adorned in 17,000 red lights and 2,500 red bows representing the plight of the millions of Christians being persecuted around the world for their belief in Christ.

This year, the diocese is encouraging parishioners to join in a show of solidarity by hanging red ribbons on their own trees or in their homes, bringing awareness to the increased levels of persecution against Christians in areas of the world like South and East Asia.

Aid to the Church in Need recently released a report titled “Persecuted and Forgotten,” which notes how in those regions, the state of safety for Christians in those areas has worsened. 

The Diocese of Brooklyn, DeSales Media Group and Aid to the Church in Need have since partnered for the special tree lighting, which will include spoken word performances and a concert by the St. Savior Gospel Choir.

The program for the evening is as follows:

 

5:00 pm – Welcome by host

5:06 pm – Speech by Monsignor Kieran E. Harrington

5:10 pm – Spoken word performance 

5:13 pm – Musical special 

5:18 pm – Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio’s blessing of the Nativity crèche 

5:20 pm – Performance by the St. Saviour gospel choir

5:25 pm – Silent Night 

5:30 pm – Lighting of the tree