On Good Friday, an Italian Procession Steeped in Tradition

On Friday, don't be shocked to see people dressed all in black processing solemnly through the streets of Carroll Gardens.

The annual Good Friday procession, held in and around on Summit Street, is an extremely important and meaningful religious event. Italian Catholics from all over the tri-state area attend every year.

"There is a band with music, women doing the rosary the entire time, figures marching through the streets, it's majestic and pretty," said church historian and archivist John Heyer II.

Beginning at 7 p.m., the procession winds its way through the streets surrounding the church, and ends with a prayer service in Italian at Sacred Hearts and St. Stephens. Guided only by candlelight, two statues will be carried by parishoners through the streets. One is a statue of Jesus, encased in glass, and the other is Mary the Mother of Jesus, under the title Our Lady of Sorrows. Both have been used in the procession for more than 60 years.

The Congregation of Our Lady of Sorrows, who will carry the Mary Addolorata statue, is made up of members from the town of Mola in Bari, Italy.

The procession is "a staple of what Carroll Gardens is all about" said Heyer.

"With the changing demographics of the neighborhood, we want people to know that things like this, women dressed all in black, is not meant to be mysterious," said Heyer. "We want to embrace everyone."

The procession is surely a sight to see and hear, with Italian songs sung and a marching band playing, but Heyer says he hopes new residents will join in, or at least watch with respect.

"It may look mafioso, but it isn't like that," Heyer said with a chuckle. "This is part of the identity of Carroll Gardens, it's unique and special."