A Catholic church in East New York held an annual Mass celebration to commemorate Jesus, Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt.

The Nigerian Igbo community at the St. Fortunata Roman Catholic Church is celebrating the holy family fleeing from Jerusalem and being accepted into the country of Egypt.

The flight into Egypt is a biblical story where an angel tells Joseph in a dream to escape to Egypt with his family so that King Herod would not kill baby Jesus.

Congregants say the service commemorates Egypt welcoming the family into their country, providing them with safety and protection.

News 12 was told that the tradition emphasizes a message for people to be welcoming and caring to one another.

Attendees celebrated the event with music, singing and prayer.