Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: FOREIGN welcome to a special edition of our diocesan podcast, Big City Catholics, with Bishop Robert Brennan, the Diocesan Bishop of Brooklyn, serving in Brooklyn and Queens, myself, Father Christopher Henry, here at St. Joan of Arc Parish. Today's podcast brings US to Washington, D.C. to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. What a beautiful trip this has been for us as a diocese marking another successful diocesan pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. our shrine here is named after our Blessed Mother of the Immaculate Conception. In her honor and her name we pray in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[00:00:53] Speaker B: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
[00:00:57] Speaker A: In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Bishop this is a very special podcast where we have a medley of interviews of those pilgrims that have come down, young and old, seminarians and some families as well. A great opportunity for us to interview the faithful of the diocese, representing different parishes in the diocese. But this is my chance to interview you. Bishop of course, we're recording this post the event. What were your thoughts and what did you think of the day?
[00:01:26] Speaker B: You know, I've always enjoyed the pilgrimages to Washington, D.C. to the National Shrine, and this goes back to my experience as a priest in Rockville Center. We've been making many pilgrimages, and it's very interesting that in this particular area, part of it, I guess, is geographic, part of it is the makeup of the diocese. But these pilgrimages are extremely popular. We get great, great numbers. You know, Washington, D.C. is sort of within striking distance, so it's something that a parish can do, get a bus trip there and back all in the same day. So we, we started off with the sense that there's going to be interest. I think there was some doubts about how much of an interest there would be at one point. But Monsignor Vito Bonanno, who is one of our priests who works at the shrine, he's in charge of the pilgrim groups, he was ecstatic to report that we had 4,000 pilgrims, the largest pilgrimage so far this year, and a pilgrim that was just filled with such devotion and energy. I took a photo, I told the people I was doing. I took a photo from the sanctuary, looking out at the group after the rosary, and got a sense of a full church. I didn't have a chance to do that during Mass. Obviously, the picture after the rosary doesn't tell the story because in Those hours, the numbers just kept growing, and we had people standing in the aisles. And so, indeed, there was a great, great response from Brooklyn and Queens. Secondly, my other observation, I mentioned faith and devotion. These people weren't out on a trip. These people were there to pray, to make the pilgrimage, to be in solidarity in some sense. For many, the holy year was an added dimension to this experience, this pilgrimage experience. But people wanted to visit and pray at the different shrines along the way. The different altars and images, many of them represent different heritages, many different ethnic groups, and so people were making connections. There was a very nice number of young adults and students who traveled with their parishes. We had a youth holy hour and some very powerful witness talks during that, drawing our young people to the heart of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. It was very, very moving. Thirdly, the shrine itself is strikingly beautiful, but also the staff were there. They do things so well. It's so organized, so well put together, so that celebrating Mass there is always a great pleasure. For me, it was a double blessing. I serve on the board of the Shrine Basilica, and so as a board member, I was very happy and proud of the shrine representing itself to Brooklyn and Queensland. And as the bishop of Brooklyn, I was incredibly proud of Brooklyn and Queens representing itself to the nation.
[00:04:30] Speaker A: You know, it must be something to see, Bishop, as the diocese is reporting 72 buses of pilgrims down there and a great number of priests from our diocese who dedicated their Saturday to accompany their pilgrims. When we were sitting in the sanctuary, it was just really beautiful to see the great number of priests that. That had come to be there. And Bishop, you know, I got a chance to see, as one of the emcees and just being present when we processed the final procession. You seem to be quite emotional. It caught my eye that you were really moved by the. By the events, and it was really beautiful to see. I think as we entered the sacristy, I think the group of priests from the diocese were also just moved by the love, the faithfulness of the people.
[00:05:19] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:05:19] Speaker B: No, that's really very, very true. It's so evident to see the great love people have for their priest. We want to encourage that in so many ways. And, you know, the priest coming that day was a bit of a sacrifice, yourself included. You have to make arrangements. There are still parish activities that need to be cared for and the time that it takes. Many of them traveled with their groups on the bus.
You know, we were there the day before because there were coordination details that we had to attend to in Preparation, but also that I would be there to greet the buses as they arrived.
So I was there ahead of time. But you know, I give a lot of credit.
[00:05:59] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:05:59] Speaker B: The priests, they traveled on the buses with their people, they brought their people, they worked hard at inviting people that was very generous on their behalf. And it's a sign of our solidarity as priests with each other in service to the people of God in Brooklyn and Queens.
[00:06:16] Speaker A: It was a grace filled day. I mean, from the beginning. The excitement, the joy. Certainly there's an excitement and joy when you're finished. A five hour bus trip. Right.
One of the interviews that, that you interviewed the young boy, Elijah, a student at Cathedral Prep. And how was the bus trip? It was long.
It was long and it was early start.
[00:06:40] Speaker B: And that's one thing I have to say for the young people. I think I may have even said it to them. I don't know how many of our young people are up at 5 o' clock in the morning on a Saturday.
[00:06:49] Speaker A: That's right.
[00:06:49] Speaker B: But they did it that day.
They did it that day for the Lord.
[00:06:53] Speaker A: Well, Bishop, let's take a listen now to some of the interviews, the reactions from our pilgrims. And we'll join again at the conclusion of these interviews.
[00:07:02] Speaker D: So I'm sitting here with Andrea. And what parish are you from, Andrea?
[00:07:05] Speaker E: I'm from St. Francis of Assisi.
[00:07:07] Speaker D: Oh, nice. With Father Vasilotti.
Father Tom. Yeah, very good. Beautiful parish. Beautiful church. Monsignor Jervis was there, Right.
[00:07:15] Speaker A: For many years.
[00:07:16] Speaker D: Andrea, is this your first time here?
[00:07:18] Speaker E: It's my first time here.
[00:07:19] Speaker D: What did you think? What do you think of this church?
[00:07:21] Speaker E: Amazing.
[00:07:22] Speaker A: Beautiful, right?
[00:07:23] Speaker E: Yes, a lot to see.
Very informative. Everything is well organized. It's beautiful.
[00:07:31] Speaker D: Yeah. How was your drive down?
[00:07:34] Speaker E: It was nice.
[00:07:35] Speaker F: Yes.
[00:07:36] Speaker A: Long.
[00:07:38] Speaker D: The beauty of a pilgrimage, Right, is that it's.
It's a little bit of penance and it's also a trip for God.
[00:07:44] Speaker A: Right.
[00:07:46] Speaker D: What is your prayer? Since you're here, what are you bringing to prayer today?
[00:07:51] Speaker E: Love.
Unity. You know, everybody coming together.
[00:07:57] Speaker A: Right?
[00:07:57] Speaker E: No hate, just love.
[00:07:59] Speaker D: That's right. Beautiful. Thank you, Andrea.
[00:08:01] Speaker G: You're welcome.
[00:08:01] Speaker D: God bless you.
[00:08:02] Speaker E: God bless you too.
[00:08:03] Speaker A: Thank you.
[00:08:05] Speaker D: So I'm sitting here with Christian. Radha.
[00:08:08] Speaker A: Christian.
[00:08:08] Speaker D: What's your title in the diocese? What is it that you do?
[00:08:11] Speaker F: So I am the director of Marriage Family Formation and Respect Life Education for the diocese.
[00:08:17] Speaker D: Wonderful. And you and Father Gerbino work together. So you really did a lot of work behind the scenes here, putting this pilgrimage together today. What was that like?
[00:08:26] Speaker F: Oh, it was very grace Filled experience, working with over 40 parishes, decided to come down to DC for this Marian pilgrimage. And we have 70 buses. So if you do the math correctly, it's a little bit over 4,000 people inside the basilica.
[00:08:43] Speaker D: Wow. Wow. It's impressive. This is not your first time running it, is it?
[00:08:47] Speaker F: Or is it? No, this is my second time running it. And now with the experience, we have more confessors to hear confession, more events. We have a youth event that Father Caroly led. It's very nice seeing the, you know, the universality of the church, but the diversity of the church as well, because we were hearing confessions in English, Spanish, Tagalo, ibu, Polish, Chinese, Mandarin, Korean as well.
[00:09:12] Speaker D: Wow. It's incredible. Really incredible. And you really make it a point to welcome the pilgrims when they come. You get on the bus, you welcome them to the National Shrine. You're helping to facilitate a prayerful process for people.
[00:09:26] Speaker F: Yeah, especially, you know, people coming to D.C. for this pilgrimage. They usually leave Brooklyn around 4 or 5 o' clock in the morning, and they're tired and they, you know, sometimes you need to have that welcoming face and being, that presence and to. For them to know that this is a place for them to. To pray and to be together and to see that the Diocese of Brooklyn is not just Brooklyn and Queens, you know, and that this is Mary's house. And through her patroness, you know, as Our lady of the Immaculate Conception, you know, she's there to help and support us in all of our ventures.
[00:09:58] Speaker D: It seems like once people arrive, the day just flies by. Yeah. You know, we're in the midst of now, and we're getting ready for Mass in a few moments, and then. And then shortly after Mass, you know, everyone just boards the buses and heads back home.
[00:10:11] Speaker A: And heads back home.
[00:10:11] Speaker F: Yeah. So Mary is always with us, you know, from the beginning to the end.
[00:10:15] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:10:15] Speaker F: But, yes, it's just a great experience.
[00:10:18] Speaker D: Well, thank you for joining Big City Catholics Christian, and thanks for doing what you did today to make this such a great success. And to all those who work with you in the office.
[00:10:27] Speaker A: Thank you.
[00:10:27] Speaker F: Thanks, Father Chris.
[00:10:30] Speaker D: So I'm here now with Tristan, one of our seminarians for the Diocese of Brooklyn. Thank you. Tristan, what year are you in? What stage in formation?
[00:10:37] Speaker C: So right now I am in my probability year. That's the first year of seminary information for those who have already have a college degree.
[00:10:43] Speaker F: Okay.
[00:10:43] Speaker D: And now this is not your first time to the National Shrine?
[00:10:46] Speaker A: No.
[00:10:47] Speaker C: So I've been here since I was probably 10 or 11, and I've come like, you know, every two or so years. The last time I went was 2018.
[00:10:54] Speaker D: With your parish?
[00:10:55] Speaker C: With my parish in St. Leo's in Corona.
[00:10:56] Speaker D: Okay, so it was like. It was the diocesan pilgrimage.
[00:10:59] Speaker C: It was the diocesan pilgrimage.
[00:11:00] Speaker D: Okay, so now a little bit different for you this year?
[00:11:02] Speaker C: Oh, yes. I'm already feeling the weight of it. When I walked in, I just felt a little bit nervous because, like, this is my first time at seminary. I'm like, where am I going? What am I doing? Why am I wearing this? I'm seeing my friends who probably see me growing up, and they're seeing me in a casting circus. And I mean, not to say that I feel like, you know, Superman, I'm still a normal human being, but it's very different. And it's a very good kind of difference.
[00:11:24] Speaker D: Sure, sure.
[00:11:25] Speaker C: In the sense that, like, you walk in, you see people with a cast. Like, they see kind of hope. And it's fitting because we're in the jubilee year of hope, where they see a young seminarian walking on the castock and they're like, our prayers are finally being answered. We're probably getting new priests. Yeah, new priests of God that, like, born to follow. And it's inspiring.
[00:11:43] Speaker D: Awesome. That's awesome. What was it like? You guys all left from Dunwoody from the seminary this morning?
[00:11:48] Speaker A: Early.
[00:11:49] Speaker C: I mean, we had a few hiccups, but thanks be God, we're all here.
[00:11:52] Speaker D: That's good. That's good. And what's your prayer? What's your hope in coming down here and seeing the basilica filled with pilgrims from the diocese? What is your hope? You're talking about this being sort of a hope filled experience.
What is your prayer?
[00:12:07] Speaker C: Well, my prayer for myself and for everyone else is always to get to know the heart of Jesus. That's all we all want, really. That we all want the joy. We all want to be inspired. And that only comes through getting in contact with Christ himself through his sacred heart and coming to contact, be it the liturgy, be it a rosary, be it just meeting other people. I just saw a few people from my parish not too long ago and seeing the joy that they had. It's moments like this where, like, you are in contact with Christ in those little moments.
[00:12:34] Speaker D: That's fantastic.
[00:12:34] Speaker A: Thank you.
[00:12:35] Speaker D: Tristan, thanks for joining us.
[00:12:36] Speaker C: Thank you for having me.
[00:12:38] Speaker D: So I'm standing outside and who am I standing with?
[00:12:41] Speaker G: Millie.
[00:12:41] Speaker D: Millie from what parish?
[00:12:43] Speaker G: St. Peter and Paul in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
[00:12:45] Speaker D: In Williamsburg, Brooklyn. How was your trip down here today?
[00:12:47] Speaker G: Our trip was an eventful trip.
[00:12:50] Speaker A: Long.
[00:12:51] Speaker G: We left late and then we got a tire.
[00:12:54] Speaker D: And then you had a flat tire?
[00:12:56] Speaker G: Yes. I told my sister was like, oh, it's like a bumpy road. And then the driver said, I think we have a flat. So he pulled over and then kind of panicked because it's a full bus. And then he said, oh, not only do I have a flat flat, there's. The other tire has a nail, but there's still air. So he kept contacting the other bus driver, and he said, well, let's see if we get somebody. Like, sure. Aaa. But he's like, I'm gonna get off the highway. I'm gonna go on the side.
[00:13:23] Speaker A: Get.
[00:13:23] Speaker G: He got off. He checked. I think I could make it and pull through.
[00:13:27] Speaker D: And then here you are.
[00:13:29] Speaker G: Here we are. The nun said, well, we need to start praying the rosary, like, really fast now. Like, right now.
Thank God we made it in one piece. And now they're gonna replace the tires.
[00:13:40] Speaker D: Oh, wow. So that was all of these obstacles to come down here, but you're here. You made it.
[00:13:46] Speaker G: Yes. And it's a beautiful day, and it's one in a lifetime.
[00:13:48] Speaker D: It's your first time here?
[00:13:50] Speaker G: Yes, my first.
[00:13:50] Speaker D: What do you think of this?
[00:13:52] Speaker G: You know, it's beautiful. I mean, we have gone to Italy, but this is breathtaking.
[00:13:57] Speaker D: Breathtaking. Thank you very much. Thank you for your time.
[00:14:01] Speaker G: Course.
[00:14:04] Speaker H: Okay, we're here with Elijah, who's a student at our own Cathedral Preparatory Seminary.
[00:14:11] Speaker B: And High School in Elmhurst, Queens.
[00:14:12] Speaker H: What year are you in, Elijah?
[00:14:13] Speaker A: Sophomore.
[00:14:14] Speaker H: And you're a sophomore at Cathedral Prep, but you're also parishioner at Holy Family Parish in Flushing. I'm really glad to see you. And one of the things for me that's always great is seeing everybody when they get off the bus. There's sort of an excitement about this. We're at the Basilica Shrine of Immaculate conception in Washington, D.C. this is something that's part of our national heritage here. Have you ever been here before?
[00:14:37] Speaker I: No, it's not my first time.
[00:14:38] Speaker H: So what was your impression as you drove up?
[00:14:40] Speaker I: I mean, when I looked at the church, I was like, wow. Because it's like, I've never seen a church like this big.
[00:14:45] Speaker H: We have big churches in Brooklyn, but nothing like this.
[00:14:47] Speaker C: Right.
[00:14:48] Speaker H: And in Queens, we have big church. But this is amazing. So, yeah, actually, very shortly, we're going to start the Youth Holy Hour with Father Karolyi. What are you going to do? Are you going to be serving?
[00:14:57] Speaker I: Yeah, I'm going to serve it.
[00:14:58] Speaker J: Yeah.
[00:14:59] Speaker H: That's great.
[00:14:59] Speaker F: That's great.
[00:15:00] Speaker H: Are you looking forward to praying in some of the areas of the shama?
[00:15:03] Speaker I: Yeah.
[00:15:05] Speaker H: I'm going to ask one more question. People come down to something like this to draw close to Jesus in a new way. What were you hoping to do? What were you hoping would happen for you this trip?
[00:15:14] Speaker I: Well, Father Sean said it was to be closer to Jesus, so I was expecting to get closer to Jesus.
[00:15:19] Speaker B: Good. Pray good.
[00:15:20] Speaker H: I'm glad you're doing that.
[00:15:21] Speaker C: Thanks.
[00:15:22] Speaker H: We'll see you inside.
[00:15:24] Speaker D: So I'm standing here with Eileen and Omar. Omar. So Eileen and Omar, and what parish are you guys from?
[00:15:32] Speaker J: We're from the Basilica region of Pages.
[00:15:34] Speaker D: Oh, nice.
[00:15:35] Speaker B: Very nice.
[00:15:35] Speaker D: And your brother is one of our seminarians?
[00:15:37] Speaker J: Yes. He has always had that good, like, Catholic faith, and I feel like he's brought us into church and really, like, inspired me to become more of a devoted Catholic.
[00:15:52] Speaker D: Awesome, awesome. So tell me, guys, this is your first time here? Omar, is this your first time here?
[00:15:57] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:15:58] Speaker D: What do you think of this? This church? Is it like. I know that the basilica is a beautiful church, right? Your church. But what about this church? What do you think of this?
[00:16:06] Speaker J: I think it's really pretty since, like, it's big. And I also like how it looks, the design of it.
[00:16:15] Speaker D: The architecture upstairs is pretty big, huh?
[00:16:18] Speaker J: Yeah.
[00:16:18] Speaker D: And what about for yourself? I mean, you come from a church that's named after our blessed Mother Regina, Queen of Peace.
[00:16:25] Speaker A: Right.
[00:16:25] Speaker D: And now you're in this other church, the basilica, the national shrine of the Immaculate Conception. It's all about Mary. What's Mary like in your life?
[00:16:32] Speaker J: I feel like Mary is a good example that or for me, is an example that sometimes God gives us, like, I don't want to say problems, but God gives us challenges. And like Mary, we have to accept those challenges and we have to have faith in God that he knows what's best for us. Like Mary. Yeah, she was, like, probably my age. She was scared to have Jesus, but she still trusted God and she had faith in him.
[00:17:00] Speaker A: Amen.
[00:17:00] Speaker D: Cool. Omar, what's your prayer? Like, a pilgrimage is a journey that's supposed to be a prayerful journey. And, like, sometimes there's penance. Like, I'm sure the bus ride. The bus ride was a little long, right? Was it?
But what's your prayer that you're down here? When you're down here, what are you praying for?
[00:17:17] Speaker A: What are you praying about?
[00:17:19] Speaker J: I'm praying for my family.
I'm praying for, like, this sick people because they need prayers.
[00:17:28] Speaker A: Amen.
[00:17:29] Speaker D: It's so nice that you guys Come as a family. Right. So you're, you came down here, you.
[00:17:34] Speaker A: Meet your brother here.
[00:17:35] Speaker D: He's going to be serving at the Mass. What's your brother's name?
[00:17:38] Speaker J: Juan.
[00:17:38] Speaker D: Yes. Juan is one of our. And do you know what year Juan is in?
[00:17:41] Speaker J: Second year.
[00:17:42] Speaker D: Second year. So it's pretty impressive that you have a brother who's studying for the priesthood. You guys are all down here as a family, rooted in faith. So thank you for joining the podcast today.
[00:17:53] Speaker B: Father Henryu, thank you for these testimonies. Very powerful expressions of the experience of being in Washington on these days. Thanks to all for participating in this day, one way or another. You know, Father hen you, the life of the diocese continues in many powerful ways. On Wednesday this week, we had the Mass of Hope and Healing, a very emotional celebration that gathers many people. A good number of priests were there as well. A sign of great solidarity. Victims of sexual abuse, whether it be within the church or in society or in the family, many survivors of sexual abuse were present and able to pray and to seek that journey of hope and healing. One of our own priests, who himself is a survivor of abuse, gave a very powerful testimony to healing, connecting Jesus's healing ministry and that ongoing sense and need for healing. Many people who work in that diocesan levels, whether it be the Safe Environment Office, Protection of Youth and Children, our review board members, many of the people who help in the canonical pieces of all the cases, just at many levels, were also there offering support.
And many people from the community, from diocesan employees who aren't connected in the specific work, but again, stand in solidarity. And let me tell you something, what a turnout from the parish of St. Finbaugh. It was a full church. Again, one of our parishes stepping forward to offer welcome, but also that shared sense of hope and healing. So that was a powerful night and I thank everybody who made that possible. And then, of course, we're releasing on the 31st of October, known as Halloween, but that's the lead into a very big weekend. Saturday, November 1st is the Feast of All Saints and Sunday is the commemoration of all the faithfully departed. All Souls Day. This year we dispense from the obligation of Mass, but certainly encouraging people to go to Mass on the Feast of All Saints Day and on All Souls Day. That often falls during the week. That's usually a very well attended day for Mass because people go to remember their loved ones and this year falls on a Sunday. So it really does have a special meaning. This year.
[00:20:16] Speaker A: I will have a chance, Bishop, throughout this month of November to discuss more in detail, certainly the lives of the saints and the importance of prayer for those who have died, marked with the sign of faith. We pray for them, certainly in this particular weekend, as our podcast is released on Friday the 31st. We pray for them not just this weekend, but always. That's the beauty of our faith. We're always remembered. We're always striving to win that imperishable crown of sainthood that leads us into eternal life. And we'll have a chance, Bishop, to delve more into that this upcoming month and to all of those who listen to us and join us each and every week for a new edition of our diocese and podcast, Big City Catholics, that you'll share it with your friends and family and on your social media pages. Bishop, perhaps you could end with a prayer.
[00:21:01] Speaker B: And why don't we pray in a very particular way for those who have died, those who have died in the last year, those who are members of our families, who we remember very especially on the commemoration of All Souls.
Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord.
[00:21:16] Speaker A: And let perpetual light shine upon them.
[00:21:18] Speaker B: May they rest in peace.
[00:21:20] Speaker A: Amen.
[00:21:21] Speaker B: May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy.
[00:21:25] Speaker A: Of God, rest in peace.
[00:21:27] Speaker B: Amen.
[00:21:28] Speaker A: Amen.
[00:21:28] Speaker B: And may almighty God bless us, one and all, in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
[00:21:34] Speaker A: Thank you, Bishop. Thanks to all. God bless.
