Walt from Palisade, CO
I was born and raised over in Brooklyn and, to me, St. Patrick's was always
a place of majesty and mystery. When I was a young boy, my grandfather took
me to the Cathedral. He had a day off from work at the telephone company so
he took me all over the city. To me, Manhattan was always like the Emerald
city of OZ! When we got to the Cathedral I was so struck by the beauty of
the place and the people at prayer. When my grandfather took me to the main
altar he had me look up and he pointed out the three scarlet hats that hang
there of past Cardinal Archbishops! There, in the gray shadows of the
ceiling, was the color red. The memory still touches the depths of my
Catholic soul.
Jacqueline from Paterson, NJ
Every time I go to St. Patrick's is great for me. However, the most
memorable time was the night of December 24, 2008. It had been many years
since I went to Midnight Mass and this one was really moving and private for
me. It was the last Christmas Eve Mass given by Cardinal Egan and his words
hit near and dear to my heart. I went in with a heavy heart and came out
happy and relieved.
Mark from Fairfax Station, VA
Several years ago, my wife, Dawn and I were in New York City to celebrate
Thanksgiving. We went to Mass at St. Patrick’s on Thanksgiving morning; I
still remember where we were seated: off to the right side of the altar.
Not long after we were seated, one of the ushers approached us and asked me
if I would help out with the collection. I was thrilled, and naturally said
“yes.” As I was assisting with the collection, I kept thinking how
privileged I was to be serving the community in one of the great Catholic
churches of the world. If that doesn’t make someone feel good, I don’t know
what will!
Mary Jean from Linden, NJ
On April 21, 2009 my beloved husband passed away to meet the Lord. I guess
He needed him in heaven. My husband, Ed, had the best sense of humor and
played the tenor sax and clarinet. He was a gift from God to me for
thirty-eight years and we loved each other dearly. Our friends, Deacon Tony
Goskowski, and family, had a couple of Masses said for Ed at St. Patrick's.
It was just beautiful and an honor for us and for Ed to have these Masses
said for him at St. Patrick's. Thank you for the amazing memories and for
letting St. Patrick’s be such a great part of our lives.
Priscilla from Brasilia, Brazil
I had one of the best experiences of my life inside the Lady Chapel of St
Patrick's Cathedral! My boyfriend, Gustavo, and I went inside the amazing
Cathedral to visit on 12/17/2010. We went to the Lady Chapel, knelt and
started to pray together. He started to talk to God, thanking him for all
that we had experienced until that moment together and, among other things,
he thanked God for putting me in his life. Then, he took a gold ring from
his pocket and, in front of God and our Lady, asked me to marry him! I
started to cry and said "yes!" It was the most beautiful and special place
for a marriage proposal!
Barbara from New York, NY
On Christmas Eve, after the Midnight Mass in 2007. Cardinal Egan walked
toward the left side of the aisle where we were sitting, saw my mother,
Margie Griffin, and blessed her forehead. She had a brain tumor and with
Cardinal Egan's blessing, her brain tumor has not grown in size. Now, at age
82, she continues to go to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for Midnight Mass. Thank
you to St. Patrick’s and to Cardinal Egan for giving Margie, a mother to 8
children, more years with us.
Daniel from Newark, NJ
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is very important to me. My first memory of St.
Patrick’s is going with my mother, who is now deceased, for my First Holy
Communion. I still remember walking into the beautiful and vast house of
prayer, dressed in my white communion clothes, with my mother holding my
hand (I love her and miss her so much). That day we lit candles and prayed
together. Everyone at St. Patrick's Cathedral was so welcoming. I am now 53
years old; however, that first time I went with my mother, I was just seven
and it left a lifelong, lasting impression. Since that day, I visit the
Cathedral frequently.
Devi from New York, NY
When I first saw St. Patrick's Cathedral as a child, I thought it was the
most beautiful place I had ever seen. As I grew older, I began to appreciate
how people from around the globe could come there and stand side by side to
pray. I have visited St. Patrick's a hundred times and have created
wonderful memories there. St. Patrick's Cathedral has always been a
sanctuary to me, even in the worst of times.
Josephine from Bronx, NY
I remember entering the Cathedral on the day of my wedding. As those huge
portals slammed shut, I felt my entire body quiver with their vibrations and
I got the sensation that my dad's spirit was in attendance. My mother and
brother walked me down the center aisle. My mother was strikingly glowing
and the happiest that I had ever seen her in a beautiful emerald beaded
gown. My grandmother was in a pink gown that my mom and I searched all over
New York City for. It was a magical experience that I will never forget. My
grandmother has since passed away and my mother passed away on September 16,
2010. During her long illness I visited the church every day to pray for
her recovery. After her passing I still stop by the church daily in search
of comfort. I pray for strength to be able to endure her absence.
Sonia from Malverne, NY
St. Patrick's has always held a special place in my heart. As a child, my
family would attend Mass at St. Patrick's frequently and every time we
were there or just passing by, my parents would remind me of their wedding
in the Cathedral in 1980 and my christening there in 1981. In the summer of
2008, I was able to share in that special family tradition when I married my
husband Michael at St. Patrick's Cathedral too. It was one of the most
special and magical moments in my life and one I will never forget!
