Italian Mass at Old St. Patrick's, Brunch at Casasalvo

You may have heard or read that New York is experiencing a Catholic revival, as are many other places in the US and around the world. So as we begin a new liturgical year, now is as good a time as any to restart and reinvigorate this group.

So let's celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of a new year of ordinary time, with a return to the scene of our very first meetup nearly 10 years ago: Old St. Patrick's Cathedral. We'll attend the noon Sunday Mass there, which is in Italian, the language of the Vatican. After Mass, join us for brunch at Casasalvo, the SoHo restaurant run by Chef Salvo LoCastro, who cooked for two Popes. You can read more about Casasalvo HERE.

Old St. Patrick's, completed in 1815, was the original See of the Archdiocese of New York. It was the second Catholic cathedral in the US and the second Catholic church in New York after St. Peter's. In fact Old St. Patrick's was built on land that St. Peter's had purchased for a cemetery. This was also the first Catholic church in the US dedicated to St. Patrick.

In its early days, the Church was a bulwark against anti-Catholic sentiment in New York. It was built behind high walls , its stained-glass windows designed to be outside the reach of rock-throwing from the sidewalk. The Ancient Order of Hibernians squared off against the Know Nothings to protect the Church many times in its early years. And they succeeded, though the original building was damaged by fire in 1866, only to be restored in 1868.

The parish was largely financed by and originally catered to working-class Irish immigrants, despite its proximity to what we now know as Little Italy. Italian immigrants arrived in the 1880s, followed by Chinese and Hispanic immigrants. Young professionals have found a home here in more recent years.

St. John Neumann, the first male American saint, and second American saint after St. Elizabeth Seton (baptized at Old St. Peter's), was ordained here in 1836. The first American Cardinal, John McCloskey, was elevated here in 1875.

Old St. Patrick's has recently been restored once again and remains as a testament to the Catholic faith in New York. As far as pop culture goes, scenes from The Godfather movies were filmed here, John F. Kennedy Jr.'s funeral Mass was held here in 1999. Actor Alec Baldwin married yoga instructor Hilaria Thomas at Old St. Pat's in 2012.

Once again, join us for Mass at noon, with the social to follow at Casasalvo. Whether you've recently discovered or re-discovered your Catholic faith or you've been with us all along, you're most welcome to this event. Please only sign up if you plan to join us for both. See you there!