Thousands pack St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan for Midnight Mass on Christmas
NEW YORK -- Thousands of people are expected to attend Midnight Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan for Christmas, a tradition for nearly 150 years
All day Sunday, the sounds of hymns resonated as thousands of parishioners from New York and around the world filled the pews to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
"It was very, very good. So amazing. I think it's an amazing experience and this is the spirit of Christmas," said Marcio Gladulich, from Brazil.
"It's not just Christmas. It's living the faith all year round. It's understanding being thankful, why we're here, what we're here to do, share love, share peace, leave the world a better place than what we found it," said Paul Betancourt.
Betancourt said it was important for him to instill those values in his daughter Bella, who lives in Texas.
"It's a once in a lifetime experience if you think about it. It's kind of hard to come back," said Bella Betancourt.
Outside the cathedral, worshippers lined up for a chance to get in.
Inside, churchgoers prayed, sang hymns and took in the true meaning of Christmas together, a tradition dating back to 1879 when the cathedral opened its doors.
"I try to instill in my daughter that this is the most important part of this holiday. It's not all the presents. It's that Jesus's birthday and to be at this beautiful cathedral, on this night, is just so special," said Mary Jo Birrittieri, from Park Ridge, New Jersey.
Many said they found the cathedral itself breathtaking.
"It's awesome. It's everything you'd think it would be. Just the architecture, the Catholicism, it's awesome," said Jim Pfeiffer, from Indiana.
In addition to the Midnight Mass, St. Patrick's Cathedral will have Christmas services all day Monday.