BROOKLYN — Polish immigrants and their descendants around the world shared the anguish of their mother country on Sunday, mourning the 96 victims of a devastating plane crash as they crowded into Polish-language Masses.

Millions of Poles have emigrated over nearly two centuries, establishing large communities in the United States and Britain. They coped with Saturday’s death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski and dozens of other military, church and government officials through vigils, prayer and writing.

In Brooklyn, several hundred people stood outside St. Stanislaus Kostka Roman Catholic Church, Greenpoint, unable to squeeze into its Polish-language Mass.

Maria Balcer, 65, a recent immigrant, sat in a pew at Polish National Catholic Church, also in Greenpoint, and cried. She had been up until 2 a.m. watching television coverage of the crash, she said.

“The tragedy is terrible, a horrible feeling in my heart,” she said.,,

At a reception following Holy Mass, Fr. Kural was given a rousing send off as he embarks on his retirement from active ministry. His many friends in Brooklyn, however, will ensure that he keeps in touch. Parish Chairman Stephen Czanowicki and the White Eagle Society put together a wonderful buffet enjoyed by over 50 guests.