NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — At the heart of New York’s Christmas celebrations are the Christmas Eve services held at two iconic cathedrals: the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Morningside Heights and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan.
At St. John the Divine, hundreds gathered for a more subdued yet heartfelt family service on Tuesday afternoon. The cathedral’s choirs and orchestra filled the space with classic Christmas carols and anthems. A Christmas Eve mass was also scheduled for 11 p.m. Despite a challenging year, attendees expressed optimism for the future. “I think we’re rounding the corner,” one woman shared. “This country was founded on optimism, and I think we’ll return to that.” Another parishioner, Jerri Dodds, added, “You can have all these people celebrating together…people coming together are celebrating common humane values, and that’s a kind of commitment to the world beyond. Isn’t that a kind of optimism?”
Meanwhile, under typically heavy security but milder temperatures, thousands flocked to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Visitors from near and far came to experience the magic of Christmas Eve in New York City. “If you’re going to celebrate Christmas, come to New York,” declared Ava Schumm from Sayville, Long Island. The Thomas family, visiting from Ohio, echoed this sentiment. Frances Thomas stated, “I’ve always seen it on TV and thought, ‘Okay, Christmas, sometime in my life, I’m going to go.’ It’s 2024. Made it happen.” A family mass was held Tuesday evening, with Cardinal Timothy Dolan delivering a sermon on the significance of Christmas. A midnight mass, traditionally drawing large crowds, was also planned but only open to those who had secured tickets through a prior lottery.