Diocesan News

Photos: Holy Week 2022 in the Diocese of Brooklyn

April 15, 2022

Palm Sunday

Scores of Catholics from the Diocese of Brooklyn’s large and vibrant Hispanic community celebrated Palm Sunday in a procession led by Bishop Robert Brennan.

  • Bishop Robert Brennan led the participants in a rousing cheer for Jesus. (Photos: Gregory Shemitz)
  • The crowd of marchers didn’t even seem to mind the cold. They were having fun waving their palms.

The Chrism Mass

It was Bishop Brennan’s first time to celebrate the annual event in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Deacons, nuns, seminarians, and laity attended, filling the co-cathedral for the first time for the Chrism Mass since the pandemic hit New York two years ago.

  • Priests, deacons, and seminarians flood Pacific Street outside the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph moments before the procession leading into the Chrism Mass during Holy Week, April 12. (Photos: Bill Miller)
  • Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated his first Chrism Mass in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
  • Retired Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros(left) and Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio enter the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph during the procession.
  • Priests make their entrance to the Chrism Mass.
  • Bishop Robert Brennan prays over the vessel containing oil on Tuesday, April 12, during the annual Chrism Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph.
  • Father Sean Suckiel, right and brother priests extend their hands toward Bishop Robert Brennan during the blessing of the oils.
  • Bishop Robert Brennan prepares oil for consecration during the Chrism Mass.
  • Bishop Robert Brennan used his homily during the annual Chrism Mass to thank fellow priests for resilience, humility, and faithfulness during the tumult of the past three years. He said they were, like his once-damaged crozier, “broken, mended, stronger.”
  • Priests of the Diocese of Brooklyn were uplifted by Bishop Robert Brennan’s homily during the Chrism Mass, and they expressed their appreciation later.
  • Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio received plenty of goodwill from priests of the Diocese of Brooklyn following the annual Chrism Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph.
  • Father Sergiy Emanuel visits with Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio outside the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph following the annual Chrism Mass, April 12. Father Emanuel’s family was trapped in Ukraine during the start of the invasion, but the family has safely reached Poland, he said.

Washing of the Feet

The time-honored ritual of recreating the act of Jesus Christ washing the feet of his disciples during the Last Supper was the highlight of the Holy Thursday Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph on April 14.

  • The Holy Thursday Mass marked Bishop Robert Brennan’s first as the Bishop of Brooklyn. (Photos: Paula Katinas)
  • Bishop Robert Brennan pours water on a young boy’s foot during the feet washing ritual. The recipients represented all age groups, from children to senior citizens.
  • Jacques Pardovany, who regularly attends Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, volunteered to take part in the feet washing ritual with Bishop Brennan.
  • In a time honored ritual, Bishop Brennan protects the Blessed Sacrament in a humeral veil as he processes around the church.
  • As everyone kneels, Bishop Brennan places the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle on the Altar of Repose.
  • The Blessed Sacrament was placed on the Altar of Repose, where it remained until midnight to allow people to come and pray.