For the first time in nearly two years, Cardinal Timothy Dolan delivered Palm Sunday Mass in front of parishioners at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. 

“We learned the painful way this last year, not only do you need the bread and wine, not only do you need the Bible, you need people for the mass and sacraments so it is so good to have them back,” said Dolan.

What You Need To Know

  • For the first time in nearly two years, parishioners gathered for Palm Sunday Mass in person

  • Last year churches and other houses of worship were closed across the state because of the pandemic

  • St. Patrick's Cathedral welcomed 50% of the crowd they would normally get on Palm Sunday

  • Social distancing, mask wearing and other safety protocols were enforced

The church allowed 50% of the worshipers they normally would for the service.

Social distancing, mask wearing and other safety protocols were enforced. 

Last year the cathedral and other churches around the state were closed for public mass because of the pandemic and instead streamed online. 

Parishioners said they're happy to be back in person. 

“Where two or more have gathered so shall christ be. And this is a very special day it marks Holy Week the beginning of Holy Week so I am very excited to be here,” explained Priscilla Boatman who arrived early to get one of the limited seats for the service.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral has been holding in person mass for several weeks now, but continues to stream all masses on line. 

Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week for Christians around the world making it even more important for some to worship in person with a community, even if they are spread apart.  

“Its unity, its family, its love. Just religious we have been taught to be kind to one another and be with one another,” said Angellika Morton.

Earlier Sunday Pope Francis delivered Palm Sunday for a second time in the pandemic without crowds of the faithful as Italy is in the midst of another nation wide lockdown. 

The pope spoke about the importance to keep helping one another as the shock of the pandemic fades but the economic burden grows. 

Francis ended his remarks by asking for prayers for the victims of a suicide bombing outside a crowded Roman Catholic cathedral during Palm Sunday services in Indonesia that wounded 14. 

Cardinal Dolan had a message of hope and resilience to New Yorkers in his homily.

“Just when it looks like darkness and death and sorrow and evil are going to triumph you got passover and Holy Week and Easter and that means hope always trumps despair. Life always trumps death.”

St. Patrick’s cathedral plans to welcome back parishioners at 50% capacity next week for Easter Sunday mass.