Missa Cantata in the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz, New York

Last Thursday evening, a Missa Cantata was celebrated in the chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz (the Filipino Apostolate of New York). The Reverend Dr. Joseph G. Mugabe (Director of the Filipino apostolate of he Archdiocese of New York) was celebrant and homilist. Mr. Lorenzo Tinio was the Master of Ceremonies. They were assisted by the community of San Lorenzo Chapel and volunteers. I’d like to add that the Society of St Hugh of Cluny was sponsor of this liturgy…

The Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz on Broome Street – originally the Church of the Most Holy Crucifix, it was built for an Italian congregation in 1925-26. No more than a small chapel, it supposedly seats only 250 – even fitting in that number would seem to me a great stretch! Reminders of the original Italian congregation are the polychrome statues displayed around the chapel. The parish of Most Holy Crucifix closed in 2005 and the Filipino Apostolate of the Archdiocese moved there in that year. 1) Such a strange quirk of fate: this exceedingly modest chapel has survived while so many New York parishes so much more significant for their history and art have closed…..

(Above and below) Statues presumably inherited from the original parish church are joined by new works related to the Filipino apostolate – including statues of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, above.