The canonization of two former popes prompted one Brooklyn church to open their doors overnight Saturday into Sunday.
About 60 people gathered to pull an all-nighter at St. Athanasius Church in Bensonhurst.
The event culminated in a live stream of the canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII.
Pope Francis recited prayers in Vatican City as the two former popes were elevated to sainthood.
It’s the first time in history that two popes have become saints at the same time.
Rather than being exhausted following the 12 hours of faith, people NY1 spoke with at St. Athanasius Church said it left them in high spirits.
“I actually felt like I was in Rome, though I was not. Spiritually, I felt like I was there,” said parishioner Sonia Valentin. “When they prayed, we prayed. When they clapped, we clapped. When they knelt down, we knelt down. So I really felt like I was there in spirit.”
“It’s a way in which we celebrate the fact that saints aren’t just people who lived in the middle ages, that saints are people who are very much part of our time,” said the Rev. Ronald D’Antonio of St. Athanasius Church.
The ceremonies also included a musical procession around the neighborhood, followed by a special Sunday Mass.
Parishioners said the event was the perfect way to cap off their Easter celebrations.
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