When the parishioners of Resurrection of our Lord Parish Catholic Church in Northeast Philadelphia gathered for Mass this weekend, they wore their Sunday best -- Carson Wentz jerseys and Eagles green.
"Come out and pray before we play," the church wrote on its Facebook page inviting the community to its Super Bowl weekend services. "Wear your best green."
On Sunday, hundreds gathered at the 8:30 a.m. Mass to sing hymns about birds, get their throats blessed in honor of the feast day of Saint Blaise, and have the strength to cheer loudly for the Birds.
"I was born in 1950," Deacon Dennis Friel told NJ Advance Media. "And I've been cheering for the Eagles ever since."
The priest and becan blessed the throats of parishioners for the feast day of Saint Blaise (and to cheer loudly for the Birds). pic.twitter.com/3DNPtfUN1Y
-- Paige Gross (@By_paigegross) February 4, 2018
Friel said it was Rev. James DeGrassa's idea to dedicate Sunday's Mass to the Philly team. He lead the congregation singing hymns "Fly Like a Bird" and "On Eagle's Wings."
Some of the church's lighting had also been swapped out in favor of green lightbulbs.
Special lightbulbs swathed the church's alter in green. Most parishioners wore Eagles shirts, sweatshirts or jerseys. But those who dressed up for church made sure to still represent their team.
Those who dressed up for church made sure to still represent the Eagles in Mass. pic.twitter.com/hxecybFive
-- Paige Gross (@By_paigegross) February 4, 2018
Church volunteer Stephanie Anie, who was wearing an Eagles shirt to bless the throats of parishioners, said she's been attending Resurrection of our Lord Parish since 1985. Her husband, one of the world's biggest Eagles fans, she said, died in January.
"But he's up there and he's going to make sure we win today," she said.
Marrisa Rivera, Carlos Perez, Nestor Plaza, Fina Perez and Maribelle Rivera wore Eagles attire to Mass Sunday. Maribell Rivera said she'll be watching at home, too, with friends and family. She predicted fans will go crazy -- win or lose.
"But we will win," she said with confidence. "We will."
Paige Gross may be reached at pgross@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @By_paigegross. Find NJ.com on Facebook.