Clergy and parishioners see blessings after Our Lady of Rosary of Pompeii’s Easter Fire.
English language version
Por la versión en español
Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii (225 Seigel Street), a church in East Williamsburg remains closed, after the terrible fire that occurred on March 31, Easter Sunday, during the celebration in Spanish of the Holy Mass officiated by its vicar, Father Rómulo Marín.
On that day at approximately 1:50 p.m. with the attendance of more than 150 people, Father Marín was alerted to the danger by the parishioners in the pews. A noticeably acrid and dense smoke was beginning to fill the sanctuary.
Reacting quickly, he opened the door behind him that accessed the parish center, the sacristy, and rectory, to witness a violent fire devouring the second floor. He suffered slight burns when trying to put it out with a fire extinguisher. When he perceived how the ground was shaking, he stepped back without losing his presence of mind as the second floor collapsed and with determination and firmness he closed the door again, thus preventing the fire from spreading to the sacred precinct. Next to the father was Mariluz Cruz, secretary of the church, who accompanied him wanting to help. She also suffered minor burns.
Lisa Torres, daughter of Cruz, recalls with tears the strong hug she gave her mother, now out of danger, stating that “the church is like a magnet that attracts adolescents and young people, saving them from being victims of crime in the streets.”
“Everyone gets out! Everyone out! Everyone out!” the priest shouted, instructing the complete evacuation of the church. Many parishioners of the parish believe that “it was a miracle that no lives were lost,”; others claim that “maybe God was there protecting the people”.
The fire was declared five alarms by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), which prompted the presence of more than 200 men and women from the FDNY who, bravely, fought tirelessly for four hours until it was extinguished.
Without a doubt this event could have turned out to be a tragedy, but it resulted in only six minor injuries; among them three firefighters, two of whom were sent to the hospital and the third returned to extinguish the fire after being treated by medical personnel present at the scene.
With profound humility, Father Marín declared, once the fire was under control, “I am not a hero. I did what I was supposed to do,” stating “I believe that sometimes God destroys the old to make way for the new. My hope is that this church comes back even stronger.”
According to the statements of the church’s pastor, Father Vicenzo Cardilicchia, the parish center, sacristy and rectory are to be demolished, but the sanctuary remains safe with only some damage caused by smoke and water.
Asbestos cleaning and abatement work has already begun, but the use of the church is not yet possible, for safety reasons.
Father Vicenzo is convinced that this calamity has strengthened the parish’s determination to continue being a beacon for the neighborhood, “We are very grateful and hopeful that the Lord will do something greater, not only in terms of the building, but also for our community.”
Investigations by the FDNY have concluded that “an object with hot embers” was the cause, ruling the fire accidental, reported The Tablet on 4.11.24.
The chalices have been recovered, but the church records, which date back to 1902, have not, which is a major concern.
With joy and jubilation, the parishioners of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii can continue praying and celebrating Sunday masses at sister parish All Saints (115 Throop Avenue), also in East Williamsburg. The April 7 mass there was officiated by Brooklyn Bishop Robert J. Brennan. During his homily he said, “The blessings after the fire are examples of God’s mercy.”
Salvador González is one of many of Our Lady of Pompeii’s parishioners who have attended this church their entire lives. Their loyalty and faith are inexorable, and even more so now in this difficult time.
Truly, so be it. Amen.
The Greenline 