DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Monday, December 6th 2010, 4:00 AM
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/12/06/2010-12-06_new_yorks_oldest_catholic_cathedral_wins_new_honor_st_patricks_old_cathedral_bec.html#ixzz17LMt2v6z
Xanthos for News
Archbishop Timothy Dolan at the inauguation for the basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral.
The city's oldest Catholic cathedral won a new honor yesterday: It's now a basilica.
Pope Benedict directed that St. Patrick's Old Cathedral be designated a basilica - an honor given only to churches of major historic and spiritual significance.
The 201-year-old church in Little Italy was a spiritual home in the 19th Century for Irish immigrants seeking refuge against Protestant persecution. In recent decades, it has welcomed Dominican and Chinese immigrants.
"This is not a museum. This is still a living, breathing, loving, embracing parish," Archbishop Timothy Dolan told a standing-room-only crowd at a solemn vespers service in the old cathedral to celebrate its new status.
Archbishop Timothy Dolan at the inauguation for the basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral.
The city's oldest Catholic cathedral won a new honor yesterday: It's now a basilica.
Pope Benedict directed that St. Patrick's Old Cathedral be designated a basilica - an honor given only to churches of major historic and spiritual significance.
The 201-year-old church in Little Italy was a spiritual home in the 19th Century for Irish immigrants seeking refuge against Protestant persecution. In recent decades, it has welcomed Dominican and Chinese immigrants.
"This is not a museum. This is still a living, breathing, loving, embracing parish," Archbishop Timothy Dolan told a standing-room-only crowd at a solemn vespers service in the old cathedral to celebrate its new status.
For some parishioners, pride and joy were tinged with sadness because its 188-year old school was shuttered last summer.
Xanthos/NewsThe newly-crowned basilica.
"Going to Catholic school gives a good foundation for your faith," said neighborhood resident Elva Ugarte, 70, whose daughter attended the defunct school.
Parishioner Rafael Grullon, 78, called the new designation "a triumph" for his beloved church, which is now led by the Rev. Donald Sokano.
"I have dreamed of this day," said Grulon, of Little Italy.
Xanthos/NewsThe newly-crowned basilica.
"Going to Catholic school gives a good foundation for your faith," said neighborhood resident Elva Ugarte, 70, whose daughter attended the defunct school.
Parishioner Rafael Grullon, 78, called the new designation "a triumph" for his beloved church, which is now led by the Rev. Donald Sokano.
"I have dreamed of this day," said Grulon, of Little Italy.
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