June 24, 2008

PILGRIMAGE TO BLESSING OF NEW ITALIAN CHAPEL

Plans are underway by the Italian Apostolate of the Diocese of Brooklyn for a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington for the dedication and blessing of an Italian chapel in honor of Our Lady of Pompei.

Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia will preside at the ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 4, said Father Steven J. Aguggia, coordinator of the Italian Apostolate.

Parishioners from Brooklyn and Queens can join the pilgrimage to the basilica by traveling on buses that will leave from ten church locations in the Diocese, five in each borough, he said.

Now under construction, the chapel was proposed in 2006 by Retired Archbishop Anthony M. Bevilacqua and American bishops of Italian descent. The latter provided initial funding and are seeking financial assistance from donors to underwrite the estimated $2 million construction cost.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, a member of the chapel’s core committee of bishops, has authorized a voluntary collection by parishes in Brooklyn and Queens to help support the fund-raising.

The chapel, called the Oratory of Our Lady of Pompei, will feature a mosaic depicting Our Lady and the Christ Child. The walls will contain the Mysteries of Light added to the Rosary by Pope John Paul II in 2002.

When it is completed, the chapel will be the first at the basilica specifically honoring the nation’s Italian heritage. It will join more than 65 chapels there that represent the devotional and ethnic heritage of Americans.

Father Aguggia said the Brooklyn locations where pilgrims may board buses for the pilgrimage will be Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Williamsburg; Our Lady of Grace, Gravesend; St. Rosalia, St. Frances Cabrini, and St. Athanasius, all Bensonhurst.

In Queens: Our Lady of Hope, Middle Village; St. Pancras, Glendale; St. Luke’s, Whitestone; Immaculate Conception, Astoria, and St. Mel’s, Flushing.

Reservations can be made by calling the respective parishes.

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