New York Sings, So Must We

By Fabriciana De Soriano and Anna Tran

Hallelujah, Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed, Hallelujah!

From their balconies and windows, New Yorkers from over 120 churches spoke Christ’s presence through liturgy into their neighborhoods Easter morning. All together, they sang one of the most iconic Easter hymns, “Christ the Lord is Ris’n Today,” in a show of religious solidarity. This New York City Easter Song most likely got its inspiration from the 7p.m., five-minute nightly “Clap for the National Health Service” ritual where Britons cheer, bang pots and spread positivity for healthcare and essential service workers from their homes.

Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

This was Easter in New York City, a moment of Christian unity amid the chaos of the coronavirus. 

Halfway across the country, I, too, celebrate, even in these somber times. As a Catholic, I have believed and studied in this religion all my life. From Catholic private schools to weekly Mass to morning and night prayers, my beliefs have always played a role in my daily life. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the spiritual lives of many have been thrown off-kilter. I have had to miss nearly every holy holiday in the season of Lent, including Holy Week, the most important time in the Christian calendar. On the weekend of Easter, I had plans to go to the Easter Vigil to first celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. On Easter Sunday, I always attend another celebration to commemorate and honor Jesus Christ rising from the dead. I was excited for both. I was excited for everything. But, for many Christians, this pandemic turned Easter into a stay-at-home and shelter day. It is difficult to celebrate important holidays in the Christian religion with a heavy heart. Still, halfway across the country, New York sings:

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!

Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

My family has been attending weekly online Masses since quarantine began, but obviously it is not the same. In a time when we need unity, to pray and worship with members of our community, we cannot. It is certainly a difficult time in the spiritual lives of entire faith communities. Some feel as if they have lost all connections to their spirituality, and nothing, neither online services nor virtual masses, can help. In a way, I suppose it comes down to how devoted and willing we are in our steps to maintain our religions and faith communities. It is a unique challenge, but through it all, New York still sings:

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!

Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

For my part, having virtual religious meetings is certainly a new experience. I’m glad most churches are choosing to still meet regularly, even if it can’t be in person. With the new technological advancements of our world today, the people who have access to such devices can still worship. I am lucky, though—those who aren’t as privileged or who choose not to use more recent technology won’t be given the opportunity to sustain and strengthen their faiths. The Church has acknowledged these issues, and many churches have set up drive-in Masses in their parking lots to facilitate accessible, in-person meetings.

Just like how Fabriciana (a New Yorker herself) and I came together to write this article, the believers of all churches came together to bring the Lord into New York’s urban atmosphere.

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!

Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Faith communities, at this time, should and are still working to maintain the usual order of things. Organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are advising faith leaders to speak to those who look up to them about the dangers of gathering. We are being urged to keep our distance and take care of ourselves in this time of need. The Monsignor at my church is pushing for us to remain quarantined. But still, the faith marches on—my youth group connects nightly for check-ins over Zoom, and facilitators encourage us to maintain a hopeful spirit.

I am further heartened by how many members of the Church choose not to remain idle when there are so many people out there in need. Putting their own safety at risk, relief groups have reached out to the community, asking if they need supplies or materials to stay healthy and safe in their homes. These brave people are going around, running errands and getting supplies, risking high exposure so that others don’t have to. It is the ultimate act of faith, and I’m glad so many churches have leaned into that mission—they have continued their food pantries, offered the donations to families in need, given free coronavirus tests and raised money to donate protective gear and masks to the hospital staff. This, I feel, is what religion is all about. To prioritize others above your own safety and to sacrifice your time and money, especially in this pandemic, is truly honorable. 

Christ has died

Christ has risen

Christ will come again.

In New York, people can sing together precisely because the New York Police Department, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Helping Hands, United States Postal Service and others continue to operate, providing safety and care in the present crisis. They deserve and receive our prayers, cheers and best wishes.

I admire all religions. I admire their readiness to maintain their spiritual communities. I admire their work to help out wherever they can in the community. COVID-19 has not been easy on any of us, and to have people ready to risk their lives for their faith and to better our society gives me all the conviction to persevere.  

Happy holidays, Exeter. We hope that, wherever any of you are and whatever the circumstances may be, that you and your families are safe and healthy. We are keeping all of you in our prayers through this unprecedented time.