The next Young Adult Mass of the Archdiocese of New York is scheduled for Wednesday, November 6 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Father Justin Cinnante, O.Carm., will serve as principal celebrant and homilist.
The Mass will begin at 7:30 p.m., preceded by a Holy Hour and followed by a social gathering. Musician Enrique Ortiz will provide the liturgical and holy-hour sounds of faith. The monthly Mass is organized by the archdiocesan Office of Young Adult Outreach.
Father Cinnante is a Carmelite priest and the chaplain at Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle. He is in residence at the Church of the Transfiguration in Tarrytown, where he leads a healing ministry. The evening’s theme will be from the Gospel for the day: “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27).
“It’s the month of November, so I will probably talk about the holy souls, the holy souls in purgatory, we’ll pray for them – offer the Mass for that intention,” Father Cinnante told The Good Newsroom in an October 23 phone interview, noting he’ll also speak on the evening’s theme, “the discipleship, carrying the cross with Jesus.”
The priest praised the monthly Young Adult Mass celebrations as an ideal way “to build community among the young adults of the archdiocese. They come together and pray, and support each other in the faith – as brothers and sisters in the faith.” He said that Amid societal challenges, young adults “can build good, holy friendships.”
At Transfiguration, Father Cinnante leads monthly healing Masses in honor of St. Therese of Lisieux (the Little Flower) with a first-class relic of the French Discalced Carmelite. “She’s like my miracle worker – she’s a great intercessor for me and for the people,” Father Cinnante said. “So I always promote devotion to Carmelite spirituality through her spirituality.”
Father Cinnante also leads spiritual retreats for young adults. In 2016, he entered the Carmelite Order Novitiate in Middletown. In 2020, he took his final vows at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown.
The mission statement of Young Adult Outreach says in part that the goal “is to connect Catholic young adults to God and each other, by helping you get connected to the young adult communities…The office aims to act as a liaison for new and seasoned New Yorkers, whether you are exploring the faith or have grown up in it, to help you find what you’re looking for.”
The November 6 Mass will be followed by a social gathering at nearby Connolly’s Pub & Restaurant. For more information about Young Adult Outreach visit their website.