The Diocese of Rockville Centre baptized more than 400 newcomers during their Easter vigil Saturday night. This year the number of baptisms was nearly double what they have seen in the past.

“It is among the most exciting things for a priest to see our parish growing,” said Michael Duffy, the St. Agnes Cathedral pastor.

Easter is one of the busiest holidays at churches all over the world. The traditional Easter vigil mass is when these newcomers are officially baptized and confirmed.

“We'll start the mass in darkness, and then we'll light the Easter fire,” said Duffy. “And then candles will spread throughout the church, representing the light of Christ coming through the church.”

Nine people were baptized at St. Agnes Cathedral and 21 received full initiation sacraments, the largest initiation the church has done had there in many years.

Duffy says people are slowly realizing that work, money and social media are not enough to bring people happiness and peace.

“There's nothing that I'm doing as a priest,” Duffy said. “It's the fact that the message of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed, and that message touches hearts here in Rockville Centre and far beyond."

Duffy says there were nearly 1,000 people at the Easter vigil service, and he expects thousands more to walk through the doors on Easter Sunday.