In April 2008, as part of a major restructuring across the six-county diocese, Galante ordered the 250-household parish to merge with two others to create a single, large parish by early 2011.
However, on Nov. 9, diocesan authorities abruptly shuttered the church after discovering its aged boiler would costs thousands to repair.
"The pastor came and took the [Communion hosts] out of the tabernacle and taped a note to the door, telling us we were closed," said Kathie Ramos, a parishioner for 22 years and one of the vigil-keepers. "There was no farewell Mass or anything."
During a brief tour Tuesday, Ramos, 47, opened a sacristy closet to reveal several sets of priestly vestments left behind. Another contained black cassocks and white surplices used by altar boys.
Peter Feuerherd, communications director for the 500,000-member diocese, said Tuesday that Galante is aware that parish closings have "an emotional component" for affected Catholics, but that "there are no plans" to keep St. Mary's open.
Feuerherd also said he knew of no plans to evict the vigil keepers and secure the little brick building, but he noted: "We're just one day into this."
There is some precedent for American Catholics using vigils in hopes of forestalling parish closings. Since 2004, members of five parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston have been occupying their churches around the clock
On Tuesday, however, a spokesman for the archdiocese announced that Pope Benedict XVI had rejected their appeals to keep them open.
The vigil keepers at St. Mary's say they did not break into the church but, rather, found an unlocked door Monday and let themselves in.
"Was it the wind? Was it the work of the Holy Spirit?" Ramos asked with a shrug. "We don't know."
