In recent Lower East Side wanderings I came once again to one of NYC’s best Roman Catholic mini-cities, way over in the far east of the Lower East, at Pitt and Stanton Streets. Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church, 105 Pitt Street between Rivington and Stanton, part of a very old complex administered by the Capuchins. This church building was dedicated in 1868; the congregation was founded 11 years earlier to serve immigrant German Catholics; but it has served waves of immigrants, from Italians to Irish to today’s primarily Latino congregants. The architect was prominent church builder was Henry Engelbert.
The Order arose in 1520 when Matteo da Bascio, an Observant Franciscan friar native to the Italian region of the Marches, said he had been inspired by God with the idea that the manner of life led by the friars of his day was not the one which their founder, St. Francis of Assisi, had envisaged. He sought to return to the primitive way of life of solitude and penance as practiced by the founder of their Order. wikipedia
The Order is named for the cappuccio, or hooded robe worn by members.
In 1890, the parish gained a spectacular Gothic Capuchin monastery at Pitt and Stanton, now the rectory (priests’ residence). On the building is mounted a bronze plaque with the many area residents who perished fighting in World War II.
The beautiful sculpture over the door depicts the scene in the Gospels in which Jesus’ mother Mary prays over the prostrate body of her Son after He was taken down from the crucifix. The most famed depiction is Michelangelo’s 1499 Pieta, displayed in Vatican City, but was on loan to New York City during World’s Fair II, 1964-1965.
Three years ago, I noticed a parish priest chatting with parishioners. Instead of the usual purple vestments worn during Lent, he was wearing pink, or as the Church terms it, rose. The 4th Sunday of Advent Lent is tabbed “Laetare Sunday” or “Celebration Sunday.” It was conceived by the Church as a Sunday when congregants take a break from the rigorous penance practiced during Advent and Lent, and priests have the option of wearing rose vestments instead of pink on this particular Lent Sunday. Here, I seem to be straying into territory covered by Uni Watch!
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2/4/25
4 comments
Today the Capuchins are best known for the coffee they inspired.
Sorry, Laetare Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent. In the Advent Wreath, although the “fourth” candle is pink, it is lite for “Gaudete Sunday” on the third Sunday of Advent. Both of these Sundays provide a slight break from the austere obligations of their respective perioda of observance. Priests wear rose vestments in place of purple robes.
I typed Advent; meant Lent
NYC’s church architecture is truly an amazing display of styles, from early 18th Century meeting houses to late 20th Century modern, across all five boroughs. Our Lady of Sorrows is just gorgeous. Have to stop by next time I’m in town.